The Potential partners, a political group in Mosan-Okunola, Alimosho LGA, headed by Omooba Abiodun Falade organized a June 12 celebration attended by it’s members and other political dignitaries, with the chief Host, Omooba Falade in attendance, Deacon Taiye Akindehin, the publisher of Potential and Facts magazine, Hon. Sola Popoola, the former Executive secretary of Agbado-Okeodo and Hon. Oladunjoye also in present.
The guest speaker Hon. Popoola spoke on the pains and gains of June 12, he stated that June 12 is a very significant date not only in south west but in Nigeria because before June 12 there had been many republic but were truncated by different coup d’etat but ever since June 12, there had been no coup d’etat which points to the fact that June 12 has come to take away all the negativity coup d’ etat in our governance.
He reiterated that although June 12 never happen on a platter of gold, it was a struggle that claimed not only time and money but lives and properties because some people were killed and maimed due to the wicked act of some autocratic government while some properties were also looted in the struggle after the government of Ibrahim Babangida decided to murder sleep by annulling and arresting the the bearer of the people’s mandate after which they never knew sleep again.
He further explained that although June 12 started as a collective struggle, like every other notable struggle, a lot of those who started it fell off on the way due to either treachery and betrayal or death. He made reference to people like Tom Ikimi, the then SDP national chairman who could not weather the storm till the last day and Babagana Kingibe who was Abioka’s running mate also fell aside at a point in time in the struggle and so many more who could not end the race because they lack the spirit of consistency and dedication.
Some others like Pa Rewani, Pa Anthony Enahoro, Gani Fawehinmi, Kudirat Abiola, Beko Ransome Kuti and some others who fought the tyranny with their last blood; we need to recognize such men on a day like this because although they fell to the cold hands of death they put in everything they had without really seeking any personal gain but for the freedom of the masses.
There were also some passive onlookers who were only looking on without contributing anything to the struggle while some only cheered on.
In his speech he explained that one of the chief beneficiaries of June 12 is former president Obasanjo who got the presidential seat as a compensation for June 12 but he refused to recognize the struggle. Obasanjo stated categorically that “MKO was not the messiah” but to the glory of God a sitting president has recognized June 12 and MKO as a national hero today.
Therefore, he stated therefore there are three types of people in a struggle, the performers who believe in the struggle and who will follow it till the end, the pretenders who will begin it but fall out along the line and the onlookers who just want to belong without participating. He stated clearly that this is the reason we must appreciate people like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who not only started the struggle but stood by the struggle, fought in the struggle with his sweat, tears and blood and today stands as a conqueror. Even when his life was under threat, he still stood by the struggle.
He pointed out that this is the hallmark of a great man and a worthy leader and it is our duty to ensure that generations to come will never forget such great hero of democracy.
He touched on the “powerful” Epetedo declaration where MKO declared himself as president and was arrested, he said the number of people in attendance were very few.
He also hinted that Kudos must be given to the leaders who had the vision for Alimosho from years back who had great vision for Alimosho. As far back as 1999 Alimosho was not a force in the committee of Local government but under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the movement for a greater Alimosho began and today, Alimosho is an envy among other local governments.
They had a system of government in place which was a “win-win” system for everyone aspiring for political positions in Alimosho but along the line, duty calks and the leader had to leave for another assignment else where and behold things fell apart and the center could no longer hold because the system that operated was set aside for favoritism and nepotism which gave room for the uprising in Alimosho.
He likened the uprising to June 12 because June 12 was also a fight against injustice and oppression and just like june12 the Alimosho uprising started with lots of people initially but as it stands, some people have lost focus on the way and some have jumped ship.
Therefore, he appreciated those that still stand by the struggle till this moment.
Mr. Oladuujoye who spoke in Yoruba on his own discussed the sacrifice of MKO who he gave his life for the betterment of his nation. He rendered “Ewi” poetry in appreciation of MKO’s sacrifice to the nation.
Omooba Akintola Falade who gave the vote of thanks on his own path appreciated every member of the June12 struggle. He made an allusion to the picture of a young Tinubu circulating social media when he went with MKO to the late Abacha. He stated that it shows that he had been in the struggle to the end which is an example of good leadership and proper dedication and a reason why God has always been with him all his life and he has remained ahead in life.
