February 25, 2001
It was a little noticed but proud moment for Nigerian democratic activists in the USA.
Last Friday, Nigerians living and working in the Chicago area took the time off from their work, schools, and whatever other situations that they might have, to yell and scream and demand that a former military head of State account for his actions in office.
Nature seemed to be smiling on the group as the frigid cold weather the Windy City has seen all month eased up a bit that day and the temperature rose to a relatively balmy 40 degrees fahrenheit.
It was a small group, but its guerilla tactics reminded observers of the resolve of members of the Chilean community to get the ailing former dictator. Augusto Pinochet tried for crimes against humanity.
The man in question was former General Abdulsalami A. Abubarkar. Abubarkar is known the world over for having handed over the keys to the presidential villa to Olusegun Obansanjo after a quick democratic election.
Abubarkar and a U.S. based foundation he established had given a huge undisclosed sum to Chicago State University to establish a lecture series on Pan Africanism, Democracy and Leadership in Africa!!!!!!!!!!
His largesse as university officials put it would also go to funding research on international affairs and scholarships for international students.
Well, that just got the Committee for the Protection of People's Dignity (COPPED) a Nigerian pro-democracy group hopping mad.
Abubarkar's reign in Aso Rock may have been short but he was part of dictator Sani Abacha's inner circle. He thrived under the wicked general, the group reasoned.
Yes, Abubarkar did hand over power, but questions remain about his role in the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola the one man who many acknowledge as the undisputed winner of the most free and fair elections in recent times.
After all, it did happen under his watch.
And so, Abubarkar and the guests to the premier lecture series were greeted by about 30 angry Nigerians, chanting and holding up signs saying "Abubarkar is not Democratic, he is a Rogue and a Dictator."
That number grew to about a hundred and heckled everyone going in including Rev. Jesse Jackson whose Rainbow/Push coalition has also honored Abubarkar.
It is still unclear if Jackson's group has also benefited from the Abubarkar largesse.
COPPED mobilized a letter writing campaign to University president Dr. Elnora Daniel and she was not spared their barbs as she walked into the lecture hall. "You have accepted blood money!!!" "How much is the largesse" the crowd screamed.
"She just kept smiling and walked right in" said Sowore Omoyele, a victim of torture under Abacha.
He said the protest had its intended effect embarrass the University and Abubarkar in front of their guests and the American media.
The protests grew stronger and louder at the gala dinner for the event at the ritzy Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago.
The University spokeswoman, Lori Sanders said the school felt no qualms about taking money from Abubarkar after all he was a Commonwealth delegate to monitor elections in Zimbabwe.
In addition he was named a United Nations envoy to the Great Lakes region in the U.S. and Canada. Chicago straddles Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes. "We do not typically asks donors the source of their gifts,'' she said.
Sure. Just grab the money and spend.
"They make it sound like he is some sort of peace activist or something," said a miffed Michelle Mohr, Amnesty International's Chicago coordinator.
The international human rights group joined the Nigerian crowd with signs of their own saying "Torture victims should be held accountable."
"They should be the ones giving lectures," Mohr said.
True democracies are transparent and leaders are required to disclose financial statements.
There is nothing wrong with wealth accumulated honestly. After all Abubarkar did promulgate Decree 53, which lifted the freeze on assets of those who cooperate with the government.
Perhaps he too can answer some nagging questions. Did he stash away any loot while in the inner circle or is he just independently wealthy?
How much exactly did he give to the school and other international organizations that have tried to bolster his credibility as a proponent of democracy?
Does he have any knowledge whatsoever about the rampant accusations that Abiola was indeed murdered?
Abubarkar may not be called to the Oputa human rights panel but he should not dodge the questions as he did in Chicago.
"This is battle cry we must answer, our silence remains as bad as the act of conspiracy itself," was the mantra for the COPPED organizers.
Hear! Hear!!.
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