By Eric Teniola

Mr Timothy Omo-bare was deputy Inspector General of Police when he attended the Aburi Peace meeting held in Ghana on January 4 and 5, 1967. The meeting was designed to bring peace to Nigeria and prevent a possible Civil war in the country. Other senior officers that attended the Aburi meeting were the then Head of State, Lt-Colonel Yakubu Gowon, Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo, Lt-Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, Lt-Colonel David Ejoor, Lt-Colonel Hassan Katsina, Commodore J.E.A. Wey, Major Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Kam Salem and Mr T. Omo-Bare.

The Secretaries who attended the meeting were Mr S.I.A. Akenzua (Permanent Under-Secretary, Federal Cabinet Office, Mr P.T. Odumosu, Secretary to the Military Government, West, Mr. N.U. Akpan, Secretary to the Military Government, East, Mr D.P. Lawani, Under-Secretary, Military Governor’s Office, Mid-West and Alhaji Ali Akilu, Secretary to the Military Government, North.

Senior military officers with extremist views including Major Murtala Mohammed and Captain T.Y. Danjuma were excluded from the Aburi meeting which was called by the Ghanian Head of State, General Joseph Arthur Ankrah (18 August 1915 – 25 November 1992).

On the second day of the meeting, there was a serious deadlock with Mr Omo-bare, playing the role of a peacemaker. Mr Timothy Omo-bare was born in January 26, 1913 in Uzebba in Edo state. He had his education at St. Peter’s School, Benin City, Government School, Kwale and St. Peter’s Training College, Benin. He joined the Police Force in 1933, became the Commissioner of Police between 1964 and 1966, deputy Inspector General of Police, 1966-1968 and a Federal Commissioner for Rehabilitation between 1968 and 1970.

Mr Omo-Bare told the deadlocked meeting on that day “We cannot sit here and divide up Nigeria, because the way things are now moving is towards regionalisation of everything, and I do not think it is safe or that we are right to divide up Nigeria at this table”.

But it had appeared that Mr Omo-bare’s appeal fell on deaf ears and in few months later, those military officers came back home to fight a senseless civil war, the scars that are still with us today.

I think Mr Omo-bare’s words of wisdom are better directed to Nigeria’s political class today. It appears there is desperation in the air. Both the opposition and the ruling party have crossed the redline. Each is determined to finish the other by all means. They need to be reminded that they have no right to break up this great country because of the coming election. They need also to be reminded that there is no safe haven for them if Nigeria breaks up and that there is no country on earth where they will enjoy their loot like Nigeria.

A red line is more than just a phrase; it embodies boundaries and limits that, once crossed, signal unacceptable behaviour or actions. Imagine you’re in a negotiation—-perhaps over something as significant as peace talks or even personal relationships. The term red line serves as an ultimatum: cross this boundary, and there will be consequences.

Historically rooted in various contexts, the concept of a red line has evolved into both metaphorical and literal interpretations. In diplomatic discussion, leaders often establish these lines to signify non-negotiable terms. For instance, when one party states they cannot accept certain conditions because it crosses their red line, they are drawing a firm boundary around what they deem acceptable.

In everyday life, we encounter our own personal lines too——whether it’s tolerating disrespect from friends or colleagues or setting boundaries within family dynamics. These limits help us maintain our values and protect our well-being.

Ultimately, whether we’re discussing international diplomacy or individual rights at home, understanding what constitutes a red line’ helps clarify expectations and responsibilities among parties involved.

Presidential election in Nigeria is always awaited with much anxiety but this coming one, looks more deadly than the previous ones.

I remember with Nostalgia, the 1959 general election, it was held on December 12, 1959.

The Governor General, Sir James Wilson Robertson (27 October 1899 – 23 September 1983) issued a declaration on October 8, 1959. I was then a student at Methodist School Otapete, Ilesha, along with Olu Malomo, Bola Olojo, Bisi Fatunwase, then Miss Bolanle Jegede, late Shiyan Malomo and others.

Our interest in politics grew then, because the first National Vice President of the NCN, Sir Odeleye Fadahunsi’s house was at the back of our school. And because of the activities in his house, we took special interests in party politics. My guardian and teacher at that time was late Mr Fatunwase while our Head master was one, Mr Esan.

Elections were to be held in 312 single member constituencies throughout the country (election for 8 seats for Southern Cameroons representatives was suspended pending the outcome of the plebiscite on the future of the Territory to be held before March, 1961) of which 174 were in Northern Nigeria, 62 were in Western Nigeria, 73 were in Eastern Nigeria and 3 were in Lagos.

The dissolved House was elected in 1954 and consisted of 184 elected members and 6 special members to represent special interests (commerce, shipping, banking, etc.). On August 29, 1957, the first Prime Minister of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – 15 January 1966), was appointed and a coalition government was formed.

No less than 26 parties were registered to contest the elections but by common consent the main contests lay between the Northern People’s Congress of Northern Nigeria, the Action Group of Western Nigeria and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons of Eastern Nigeria. Each of these parties was contesting the elections either directly or through its allies throughout the Federation.

For the first time voting was by secret ballot throughout the country. All registered adults in Western and Eastern Nigeria were eligible to vote and all registered adult males were eligible in Northern Nigeria.

An amendment to the Constitution Orders in Council provided for the establishment of a Senate consisting of not less than 56 appointed members plus those members of the Federal House of Representatives who were Members of the Council of Ministers. The Governor-in-Council of each Region and the Commissioner of the Cameroons would each appoint twelve for Lagos (one being the Oba of Lagos and one from the White Cap and War Chief of the Capital) and four were appointed by the Governor-General, Senators should not be less than 40 years old.

By January 1959, the Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe GCFR (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), and Chief Obafemi Awolowo (6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987), Premier of the Western Region had decided to stand as candidates in the Federal Elections that would take place in December. Dr Azikiwe’s decision followed a unanimous resolution of the executive committee of the NCNC expressing the belief that “in the interest of the nation and the party and in consonance with the wishes of the people, Dr. Azikiwe should be a member of the Federal Legislature”.

To be continued tomorrow.

Teniola, a former Director in the Presidency, lives in Lagos.