 |
| General Muhammadu Buhari on the eve of his arrest by IBB & Dasuki and his detention in Benin City, Edo State |
Doubtless, deposed Sokoto sultan,
Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, died heartbroken on Monday. Not that his age 93 was not
ripe enough; the thought of not having by his side as he drew his last breath
arguably his most illustrious son – though now discredited former National
Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, must have been hurtful indeed.
Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, died heartbroken on Monday. Not that his age 93 was not
ripe enough; the thought of not having by his side as he drew his last breath
arguably his most illustrious son – though now discredited former National
Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, must have been hurtful indeed.
 |
| Sambo Dasuki….The IBB boy who arrested General Muhammadu Buhari in 1984 |
But there is something about the
august transition of last Monday that eerily evokes the dark memories of 1986.
Then freshly overthrown, General Muhammadu Buhari was being held in solitary
confinement in Benin City by erstwhile Army chief, General Ibrahim Babangida.
In the new dispensation, Sambo Dasuki was an influential player.
august transition of last Monday that eerily evokes the dark memories of 1986.
Then freshly overthrown, General Muhammadu Buhari was being held in solitary
confinement in Benin City by erstwhile Army chief, General Ibrahim Babangida.
In the new dispensation, Sambo Dasuki was an influential player.
 |
| General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida….Locked up Buhari in a cell and denied him from seeing his mother’s corpse |
Soon, Buhari lost his aged mother.
Against the instinctive dictate of human compassion and all entreaties from
members of the public, IBB coldly refused to allow his erstwhile comrade
freedom, even if temporary, to pay last respects to his mother before her
remains were lowered in their native Daura.
Against the instinctive dictate of human compassion and all entreaties from
members of the public, IBB coldly refused to allow his erstwhile comrade
freedom, even if temporary, to pay last respects to his mother before her
remains were lowered in their native Daura.
Thirty years on, the junior Dasuki
found himself in the difficult shoes earlier forced on Buhari. Expectations
that he would attend his dad’s funeral Tuesday, even if on temporary freedom,
turned out fruitless. Well, no one is saying Dasuki’s sins (including alleged
theft of staggering $15b) are not weighty enough. Those who had made such plea
only acted out of a sense of compassion.
found himself in the difficult shoes earlier forced on Buhari. Expectations
that he would attend his dad’s funeral Tuesday, even if on temporary freedom,
turned out fruitless. Well, no one is saying Dasuki’s sins (including alleged
theft of staggering $15b) are not weighty enough. Those who had made such plea
only acted out of a sense of compassion.
 |
| Minister of Interior Abdulraman Danbazau…..Gave Dasuki the benefit of seeing his father’s corpse but he declined the offer |
However, it is comforting to hear
that the bereaved actually turned down an offer to be by his dad’s deathbed and
another to be taken home throughout the mourning period.
that the bereaved actually turned down an offer to be by his dad’s deathbed and
another to be taken home throughout the mourning period.
According to the Interior Minister,
Lt. General Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd), the junior Dasuki on both
occasions declined, preferring to pray in detention for his late dad.
Lt. General Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd), the junior Dasuki on both
occasions declined, preferring to pray in detention for his late dad.
 |
| President Muhammadu Buhari….Iyan Ogun Odun (or Ogbon Odun) |
If true, by that singular gesture,
Buhari would have, in no small measure, shown a sense of humanity deeper than
that of his jailers thirty years ago. Assuming the law of the nation had
forbidden that, there must be a space in natural law that allows such.
Buhari would have, in no small measure, shown a sense of humanity deeper than
that of his jailers thirty years ago. Assuming the law of the nation had
forbidden that, there must be a space in natural law that allows such.
An eye for an eye, as Mahatma Gandhi
told us, only makes the world go blind
told us, only makes the world go blind
 |
| Louis Odion, The Author (L)….He is from Edo State where President Buhari was locked after being deposed from power in 1984 |
