FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abacha Harasses American Ambassador
Iroyin: Is it true that a leopard never changes its spots? Well, General Sani Abacha, the strong-man who made himself military president in a palace coup in 1993 and who is now busy trying to succeed himself obviously thinks so and is actually advertising himself as one good example.
Here is the context: According to Nigerian newspaper reports, armed policemen from the Lagos State anti-robbery squad also known as Operation Sweep, last week, shocked Nigerians and the international community when they stopped a send-off party organized by human rights and pro-democracy groups for United States ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington. ‘The police disrupted the party on the pretext that they were searching for arms,’ said a senior African diplomat who was at the party originally scheduled for the home of an opposition leader, Chief Sholanke Onasanya at Ore Close, Surulere, Lagos.
Carrington, an African American married to a Nigerian, has long been at odds with the federal military government, because he insists, correctly, that Nigeria must embrace democracy and respect human rights in order to become a respected member of the international community.
While still battling with what the local press describes as a terminal liver disease, and at a time when he is busy spending mega-millions in the United States to launder his image, last week’s incident when members of the diplomatic corps were assaulted in Lagos by the police pose serious challenge for the general and his propaganda machinery.
Commenting on the shameful incident, South African High commissioner to Nigeria, George Nene expressed regret and said "South Africa never had it this bad’’ meaning that compared with the hateful apartheid system, Abacha’s Nigeria represent a worse case study.
Bad as the repression is, there are still tangible voices of courage and hope struggling for a democratic dispensation in the country and Carrington was noble enough to affirm to this even in the face of the show of shame put up by Abacha’s quislings. "I am not the one embarrassed. I should congratulate your courage.’’ commented the affable diplomat as Gani Fawehinmi tried to apologize for the mess.
Newspaper reports from Nigeria said the send-off party was shifted from its original venue after police sealed off all roads leading to the place. The party moved to a nearby house, of another opposition member Chief Ayo Adebanjo, but police appeared after Chief Bola Ige had said the opening prayers and Senator Abraham Adesanya, acting chairman of the opposition NADECO group, was in the middle of his farewell speech for Carrington. The police snatched the microphone from him and pointed guns at those present. Opposition members present were reported to have taunted the police. ‘Shoot us, shoot if you dare’ Chief Gani Fawehinmi screamed at the police. But a police boss cautioned his men ‘don’t shoot, please don’t shoot’.
‘We quickly gave the ambassador his gifts and the prepared speeches’ said Chief Ayo Opadokun.
For More Information Contact:
Egbe Isokan Yoruba
P.O. Box 90832, Washington, DC 20090
Tel: (202) 270-6382
FAX: (301) 499-5386
Internet: isokan@yoruba.org