A persistent fear in Nigerian politics is the emergence of a single-party system or a sole presidential candidate. Despite recurring anxieties, this outcome has never materialised. While recent party defections might suggest an invincible ruling party, Nigeria’s political history is defined by unexpected twists. Shattered dreams and surprise elements are inherent to our national life.

The surprise element is unavoidable. Unexpected events are inescapable part of life and strategy. I will cite three examples in relation to three formers leaders – Alhaji Shehu Shagari (February 25, 1925 – December 28, 2018), General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida GCFR (84) and General Sani Abacha (September 20, 1943 – June 8, 1998).

After the July 7, 1979 elections during which, Shagari was declared Presidential winner in the polls, the NPN (National Party of Nigeria) had 36 Senate seats, the UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria) had 28, the NPP (Nigerian People’s Party) had 16 seats, the GNPP (Great Nigerian People’s Party) had 8 while the PRP (People’s Redemption Party) had 7.

Those elected on the platform of NPN then were Alhaji A.D. Rufai, Alhaji Ibrahim Dimis, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo Waziri, Alhaji Abdulkadir Yelwaji Saleh, Alhaji Uba Ahmed, Chief  D.D. Dafinone, Chief Andrew Abogede, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr. Suemo Chia, Mr. B. Ameh Ebute, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, Alhaji Girigiri Lawan, Mr. Victor Akan, Mr. Donald Etiebet, Dr. Joseph Wayas, Mr. Iliya Audu, Alhaji Abba Ali, Mr. Jacob Madawaki, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Alhaji Isa Abonyi Obaro, Mr. Aliyu Mohamadu Gani, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, Alhaji Jibrin Salihu, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolo, Alhaji Abdullahi Mangu, Colonel Garba Dada Paiko, Dr. O. Eberewariye, Mr. C.N. Nunieh, Mr. Amatari Zuofa, Mr. Atto Bugundu, Mr. Haruna Muza, Alhaji Garuba Gada, Alhaji Hassan Zuru and Alhaji Garba Kware.

Under the United Party of Nigeria, those elected were Chief John Umolu, Chief Emmanuel O. Akpata, Justice Franklin O. Atake, Mr. Gayus Gilama, Mr. Justus Olu Olabode, Alhaji Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Dr. Femi Ayantuga, Alhaji Mudasiru A.O. Abiru, Mr. Abayomi Durosinmi, Mr. Adeyiga Ajayi, Mr. Ladega Daniel Adetola, Mr. Oyero Kunle, Mr. S.O. Sogbein, Chief Jonathan Akinremi Olawale Odebiyi, Chief Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, Chief Emmanuel Kayode Ogunleye, Mr. Michael Onukun, Professor David O. Oke, Mr. Ayo Fasanmi, Professor Banj Akintoye, Chief Ayoola Adeleke, Dr. Christopher Ilori, Mr. Ademola Adegoke, Dr. Christopher Adeoye and Mr. Olalere Adesina.

On a personal note, one of them, Chief Ayoola Adeleke from Ede was the father of the present Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke. He was the Vice Chairman of the then Senate Committee on Labour. I will not forget his regular supply of bitter kola to me during his Senate years.

Those elected for the NPP were Prince Onyeabo Obi, Dr. Offia Nwali, Chief B. C. Okwu, Chief N. Nathaniel Anah, Mr. Isaiah N. Ani, Mr. Bardi Joe, Mr. Emeka P. Echeruo, Dr. Elijah E. Emezie, Dr. Jaja Nwachukwu, Chief Tony Anyanwu, Mr. Simeon Ojukwu, Mr. Garba Matta, Mr. John Wash Pam, Mr. George Hookwap, Mr. Francis Ella and Dr. Obi Wali.

The elected senators for the GNPP were Alhaji Idrisa Kadi, Mr. Bukar Sanda, Mr. Jafaru Manga, Mr. Umaru Lawan Bama, Mr. George Daniel, Prince Joseph Ansa, Pastor Luka Zanyazing, Mr. Bitrus B. Kajal and Alhaji Mahmud Waziri while the PRP senators were Alhaji Ibrahim Barau, Alhaji Adamu Gaya, Alhaji Ahmed Zakari, Alhaji Hamisu Musa, Alhaji Usman A. Dambata and Alhaji Sabo B. Zuwo.

In the gubernatorial election, the following were elected on the platform of NPN. They were Alhaji Tatari Ali (Bauchi), Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa (Sokoto), Chief Melford Okilo (Rivers), Anwal Ibrahim (Niger), Alhaji Adamu Attah (Kwara), Dr. Clement Isong (Cross River) and Mr. Aper Aku (Benue).

As for the UPN, the following were elected as governors. Chief Bisi Onabanjo (Ogun), Chief Bola Ige (Oyo), Chief Ambrose Alli (Bendel), Chief Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo) and Alhaji Lateef Jakande (Lagos). As for the NPP, there were three governors, namely, Chief Jim Nwobodo (Anambra), Chief Solomon Lar (Plateau) and Chief Sam Mbakwe (Imo).

As for GNPP, they had two governors, Alhaji Abubakar Barde (Gongola) and Mohammed Goni (Borno) and the PRP had two, namely, Alhaji Balarabe Musa (Kaduna) and Abubakar Rimi (Kano).

In the House of Representatives, NPN had 168 seats, UPN had 111 seats, NPP had 79 seats, PRP had 47 while GNPP had 44 seats. Among those elected in 1979 was Alhaji Sule Lamido (77) PRP, who represented Barnin Kudu in the then Kano State. On July 30, 1993, as National Secretary of SDP, he was one of those who signed the tripartite Committee document that created the Interim National Government.

Almost 46 years later, he among others, is still around. Also still around is Chief Tajudeen Olusi (89) UPN, who represented Lagos South in the House of Representatives. He is at present Chairman, Governance Advisory Council in Lagos State. Also still around is my friend, Peter Olayemi Obaoye, who represented Irepodun Constituency in Kwara State.

However, the game changed after the Presidential and Senatorial elections of August 20, 1983.  The NPN increased its Senatorial seats to 60, thereby gaining 24 more seats, while the UPN reduced its own to 16, thereby losing 12 seats and the NPP lost four seats thereby reducing its seats to 12. As for the PRP, it lost two seats thereby reducing its seats to only five and the GNPP lost six senatorial seats.

In the House of Representatives election, the NPN gained 138 more seats thereby increasing its strength to 306, the UPN lost 60 seats thereby losing to only 51 seats while the NPP lost 30 seats reducing its strength to 48. As for the PRP, it lost eight seats and reduced its strength to 41 while the GNPP lost all its 43 seats and had no seat at all.

In the gubernatorial election, the following were elected. As for UPN, Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Kwara State, Senator Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, Ogun State, Chief Bisi Onabanjo and Ondo State, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin.

Chief Cornelius Adebayo, born February 24, 1941 died recently and was buried at Oke Onigbin in his hometown of Kwara State. He was a gentle man. I knew him in 1979 during his Senate years and our friendship lasted till he died. I visited him last at his residence at Mabushi in Abuja. His death pained me. He became lonely after the death of his wife, Elizabeth Funmilayo Ibiwoye.

As for NPN, the following were elected, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (Gongola), Alhaji Tatari Alli (Bauchi), Mr. Aper Aku (Benue), Alhaji Lawal Kaita (Kaduna), Chief Christian Onoh (Anambra), Dr. Omololu Olunloyo (Oyo State), Chief Melford Okilo (Rivers), Alhaji Garuba Nadama (Sokoto), Alhaji Muhammed Anwal Ibrahim (Niger), Chief Donald Duke Etiebet (Cross River State), Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia (Bendel State) and Alhaji Asheik Jarma (Borno state).

Under PRP, Alhaji Sabo Barkin Zuwo was elected in Kano State, while Chief Samuel Mbakwe was elected in Imo State and Chief Solomon Lar was elected on NPP platform in Plateau State.
To be continued tomorrow.
Teniola, a former director at the presidency, wrote from Lagos.