[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  2100
 
                                NIGERIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Abercrombie). Under the Speaker's 
announced policy of February 11, 1994, the Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Jefferson] for 30 minutes.
  Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today, in my 
capacity as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on 
Democratization of Nigeria, in order to register our full support for 
Chief M.K.O. Abiola, President-elect of the Federal Republic of 
Nigeria, and his ongoing formation of Nigeria's new Government of 
National Unity.
  On June 12 of last year, Chief Abiola won the Presidential election 
held in Nigeria. He received 58 percent of the popular vote and won a 
majority of the vote in 20 of Nigeria's 30 States in what hundreds of 
international observers determined to be the freest and fairest 
election in the history of Nigeria.
  Unfortunately, the presiding military dictator at that time, Gen. 
Ibrahim Babangida, arbitrarily annulled the election. The result was 
absurd and an insult to the 14,000,000 Nigerians who voted in the 
election. We can only imagine the magnitude of the crime against the 
people of Nigeria, for nowhere, in modern recorded history, has an 
annulment of a free and fair election occurred. The election return 
counting was stopped after 90 percent of the vote was counted with Mr. 
Abiola the obvious winner.
  To this day, 1 year later, the election count has neither been 
completed nor reported. And to add injury to insult, General Babangida, 
after invalidating the election, left his office as President, due to 
protests against the annulment, and appointed an unelected civilian 
crony to head a so-called interim government in a brief and 
unsuccessful attempt to cover up his crime against the people. Months 
later, Mr. Speaker, another military despot, General Sani Abacha, 
forced his way into power toppling the ``interim Government.'' But, he 
did even General Babangida one better. Abacha promptly gave orders to 
dissolve the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Supreme 
Court and replaced the nation's 50 Governors with military generals and 
admirals!
  Mr. Speaker, as bizarre as this sounds, it is precisely what has 
happened in Nigeria over the past year. Indeed, this analysis is an 
unthinkable occurrence to the American people, but it is a nightmare 
come alive in Nigeria, destroying the dream of democracy and self-rule 
that the Nigerian people so eloquently expressed when millions of them 
went to the polls to elect a President on June 11, 1993. In the 2 years 
leading up to the Presidential elections, the Nigerian people displayed 
a great capacity for negotiating and sustaining the democratic process 
by freely, fairly, and peacefully electing over 500 local governments, 
more than 1,100 State legislators, 30 Governors, and a 600-member 
National Assembly.
  All of these democratic institutions and office holders were 
eliminated and replaced on one single day--November 18, 1993--at 
gunpoint, by Nigeria's current dictator, General Sani Abacha.
  The United States, Canada, and Great Britain responded to this cruel 
and unusual crime against democracy and the people of Nigeria by 
issuing sanctions against the military regime. The U.S. sanctions 
included the expulsion of Nigeria's military attache to the United 
States, termination of financial assistance for military training and 
U.S. visa restrictions on General Abacha, members of his provisional 
ruling council, and their family members.
  Mr. Speaker, while these measures make a strong diplomatic statement, 
stronger action is needed to isolate and expose the illegitimate, 
illegal behavior of General Abacha and his government.
  Congressman Donald Payne, a host of other congressmen, and I 
responded to this crisis by introducing Concurrent Resolution 151, 
which recognizes the June 12th mandate of the people and calls for 
extending the limited sanctions now in place against the Abacha regime. 
Resolution 151 has already passed the Africa Subcommittee, and I 
understand a stronger, updated version of Resolution 151 is being 
marked up for full committee consideration.
  On Tuesday of last week, Africa Subcommittee chairman, Congressman 
Harry Johnston, along with Mr. Payne, sent a letter to Secretary 
Christopher requesting that a special envoy be sent to Nigeria 
immediately to ``help resolve the political conflict and avoid further 
deterioration in Nigeria.'' The Congressional Black Caucus supports 
that request, and I would like to submit a copy of that letter for the 
Record.
  Mr. Speaker, even as we address this matter today, the military 
regime in Nigeria continues to provide fraudulent excuses to our 
Government and the international community regarding its intent to 
return to civilian, democratic rule. The latest scheme is that of a 
``constitutional conference,'' which, reportedly, is scheduled to start 
in January of 1995 and last for several months. On May 23 of this year, 
General Abacha staged an election for delegates to this conference 
which the Nigerian people successfully boycotted, rendering the 
conference an irrelevant, nonviable vehicle to establish democracy, for 
it was unsanctioned by the will of the Nigerian people.
  Even in the process of setting up this so-called constitutional 
conference, Abacha has exposed his lack of sincerity in transitioning 
to civilian rule by violating his own conference rules and appointing, 
not electing, close to one third of the conference delegates!
  Under Abacha's rule, Nigeria is sinking into economic problems and is 
daily losing international respect. The latest and most embarrassing 
blow the Abacha regime delivered to the Nigerian people was its failing 
to cooperate with international drug interdiction efforts. This 
resulted in Nigeria's placement on the dreaded decertification list by 
the United States, disqualifying the country from any form of 
assistance from the United States and branding it as an outlaw nation 
whose leaders either sanction or permit rampant drug trafficking.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, on June 11, 1994, President-elect Abiola 
decided enough was enough. He took matters into his own hands. In 
response to the mandate of the people of June 12, 1993, he declared 
himself President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and announced the 
formation of the Government of National Unity. In doing so, Chief 
Abiola showed tremendous courage and commitment to Nigeria and to 
democracy. He deserves the support of this Congress and our Nation.
  Just last Wednesday, I received a letter from President-elect Abiola 
along with the full text of his Presidential proclamation. I would like 
to share with my colleagues and the American people portions of that 
letter which describe the dictators' response to Chief Abiola's 
courageous effort to advance the democratic process in Nigeria as well 
as his description of the current state of affairs in Nigeria:

       On June 11, 1994, in response to the mandate given to me by 
     the Nigerian people, I officially declared the Presidency of 
     the Federal Republic of Nigeria and announced the formation 
     of The Government of National Unity. As a result the military 
     regime has shut down the independent press in Nigeria and the 
     entire country is now in a police state. I, the freely and 
     fairly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 
     am currently enduring the irony of being treated as a 
     ``fugitive'' and being ``wanted'' by criminals, thieves and 
     drug pushers for advancing the process of democracy.
       White minority rule in former apartheid South Africa was 
     found to be obscene and intolerable and the free world 
     isolated that evil so that the will of the people could 
     prevail. The obscene and oppressive black minority rule of 
     Nigeria's military dictators over ninety million people 
     should not, in any manner, be allowed to continue. The major 
     weapons used against the Nigerian people by the dictators are 
     global neglect of the Nigerian people and the massive abuse 
     of Nigeria's resources which they continue to plunder in 
     order to criminally fortify themselves.
       Over the past twelve months the Nigerian economy has 
     slumped to an all time low, unemployment has risen from 
     twenty eight percent to seventy two percent, the value of the 
     Naira, our local currency has plummeted by sixty five 
     percent. Security of life and property has worsened with a 
     murder being committed every 40 minutes. Kidnapping has 
     increased and the state of hopelessness has led to massive 
     recruitment of our people into the drug courier trade.
       The current atmosphere in Nigeria is charged with 
     indications that General Abacha will respond with deadly 
     force on innocent Nigerians that will not reverse their 
     course in bringing democracy to Nigeria. Mr. Chairman, one 
     out of five Africans in the world is Nigerian. The conflict 
     resulting in massive humane carnage in Bosnia, Rwanda, Haiti 
     and other parts of the world will pale in comparison to an 
     unchecked Nigeria.
       I am appealing to the Congressional Black Caucus, Africa's 
     strongest advocate in the United States government and the 
     free world, to respond to our call for attention and support 
     at this critical juncture in our nation.

  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to submit these documents in their 
entirety for the Record.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with this body the 
conversation that I had with the President-elect this morning in which 
he assured me that he is trying every available avenue to create a 
peaceful transition to democracy, but that the people are confronted 
with a desperate dictator who is likely to lash out at any moment. 
Abacha has already jailed an 80-year-old former Senator from allegedly 
participating in the boycott of the constitutional conference election. 
Over 200 people were killed in the demonstrations following the 
annulment of the June 12th election and hundreds more political 
prisoners remain in Nigerian jails today. Predictably, General Abacha 
has declared Mr. Abiola a traitor and has forced him into hiding in his 
own country.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time we start treating the military tyrants in 
Nigeria with the same political and economic isolation that was imposed 
on apartheid South Africa and that is being applied on the illegitimate 
leadership in Haiti today.
  Nigeria is Africa's largest producer of crude oil and the second 
largest supplier of crude oil to the United States. The $12 billion 
annually in crude oil sales generates approximately 90 percent of 
Nigeria's revenue. The annual income of the ordinary Nigerian is less 
than $250 per year. So, it is clear that the masses of the people do 
not benefit from the country's enormous wealth.
  In the interest of democracy and the right of the Nigerian people to 
live free, let us put an end to this outrageous corruption, public 
larceny, and global embarrassment that the military generals continue 
to inflict on Nigeria and her decent and wonderful people.
  We can start by strategic embargoes on the purloin crude oil and 
place an immediate freeze on private and government bank accounts of 
the military regime in the United States and request that our allies in 
Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and France do the same. Let us start, 
Mr. Speaker, by recognizing the Government of National Unity and its 
duly elected President, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

                            The Way Forward

  (By Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, President and Commander-In-Chief of the 
Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, On Wednesday, June 22, 1994)

       My fellow Nigerians, on 11th of June, 1994, at your 
     request, I claimed the sacred and popular mandate which you 
     gave me as President and commander-in-chief of the Nigerian 
     armed forces at the presidential election of June 12, 1993. I 
     invoked the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the 
     said election, to call on all members of the armed forces, 
     and the police, the civil and public services throughout the 
     Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the government of 
     national unity that is headed by me, your duly elected 
     President. My government of national unity from that date 
     remains the only legitimately constituted authority in the 
     Federal Republic of Nigeria.
       Since the above address, Gen. Abacha has intensified his 
     efforts at the old Jamboree of one-way consultations with the 
     top echelon of our people in a futile effort to hang on to 
     power forgetting that after the Nigerian people have spoken 
     in a free and fair presidential election, piecemeal approach 
     to national consultation becomes irrelevant. I have 
     deliberately withdrawn for a few days in order to devote 
     myself along with members of the transition committee to the 
     process of concrete planning of the structure and model of 
     the government that would satisfy and meet the grave socio-
     economic and political challenges faced by Nigerians in the 
     last few years as particularly occasioned by graft, 
     mismanagement, incompetence and insensitivity of the military 
     dictators of the last 10 years who have turned Nigeria and 
     Nigerians into the spoils of their conquests. I have also 
     taken the opportunity to move round and talk to Nigerians in 
     all walks of life to get their own impression on the way 
     forward.
       We are all aware of the oft-repeated recognition by the 
     leadership of our armed forces that their role is to protect 
     the territorial integrity of the nation from the barracks. 
     The time is long past when the armed forces leadership should 
     rescue itself with honour by returning to those barracks they 
     have vacated for 24 out of our 33 years of independence.
       My government will accept full responsibility for all 
     actions, legal, contractual or otherwise, of the outgoing 
     regime up to and including today's date. Persons who transact 
     business with the illegal regime thereafter do so at their 
     own risk.
       In the light of the unwarranted economic and political 
     crisis which the various military juntas have imposed on the 
     Nigerian peoples, there is sufficient evidence to all 
     concerned patriots that in the composition and allocation of 
     functions under the government of national unity, we must 
     operate a policy that brings on board the major political 
     tendencies, platforms and interest groups.
       Consequently, after a thorough consultation with the 
     transition committee and respected leaders of various 
     interest groups in the country, we have decided that 
     allocation of ministerial and ambassadorial positions, 
     various commissions, boards and parastatals would be 
     distributed equitably among the major zones of the country 
     and interest groups in such a way as to ensure that as from 
     now, Nigerians will be equitably treated. Furthermore, access 
     to political and economic opportunities shall, as a matter of 
     national policy, be open to all Nigerians as of right. My 
     government rejects the winner-take-all approach and will 
     invite to serve notable, credible and committed patriots of 
     both political parties and also include worthy non-partisan 
     people.
       In setting up a cabinet, all the zones in the country will 
     be represented, labour will be represented, women will be 
     represented, the human rights organisations will be 
     represented, the professional organisations such as the bar 
     association, the medical association, etc., will be 
     represented. I will set up a student affairs commission in 
     which students, elected by students, will be represented.
       As indicated in my proclamation address, the only 
     constitutional body charged with approval of nominees to 
     cabinet positions is the senate of the Federal Republic of 
     Nigeria which had not been allowed by the military junta to 
     resume as proclaimed by its president, Senator Ameh Ebute. 
     Our government will ensure that the senate holds its meeting 
     soon to consider the list of ministers that will be submitted 
     for their approval. Pending the appointment of ministers, the 
     directors-general will take charge of each ministry and 
     extra-ministerial department.
       Within 3 months, the government of national unity will 
     ensure that Nigerians are back to work again, with factories 
     operating at full capacity, with foreign investments flowing 
     in and new factories springing up. Because Nigeria will no 
     longer pursue dubious economic policies like a lone economic 
     ranger in the world, we have clear assurance that prevailing 
     crisis in our relationship with the international financial 
     authorities will be resolved quickly. We will join the rest 
     of the world in pursuing sound economic policies to resolve 
     our problems.
       Within 30 days, we shall resume the federal system of 
     government which the armed forces have failed to operate for 
     24 out of the 33 years of our independence because of their 
     central command and vertical hierarchical structures.
       For now onwards, all Nigrerian will be equal before the 
     law. There will be equality of opportunity and freedom to 
     pursue the course of happiness as every individual desires.
       From now onwards, every Nigerian will be involved 
     in decisions of government that affect him. Prices of 
     essential commodities like fuel will be based on full 
     discussion through committees of the national assembly so 
     that not only prices, but costs of production and 
     consequences of price hikes whether on fuel, telephone or 
     any other item would have been considered.
       With immediate effect, education throughout Nigeria will be 
     made available to all children free of fees, levies or any 
     imposition to give equality of opportunity to all our 
     children regardless of the circumstances of their parents. 
     Education is an investment in the future. We owe that to our 
     children. All arrears of salaries to teachers and all 
     outstanding awards will be paid to all teachers within 60 
     days.
       Very soon, health care delivery from primary to tertiary 
     level will be seen as a right by all our people so that both 
     urban and rural Nigerians will get equal treatment. All 
     outstanding awards and salary arrears to all personnel in the 
     medical departments will be paid within 60 days.
       Within 100 days, food at affordable prices will be 
     available, if necessary by temporary importation. Urgent 
     studies have been commissioned and preliminary arrangements 
     are already being made in that direction.
       After proper consultation, our traditional institutions 
     will flourish and be made to constitute meaningfully to 
     governance. There will be ample opportunities for our god-
     given culture to bloom, and to flourish not for the sake of 
     nostalgia but to encourage tourism and increase our foreign 
     exchange earnings.
       From now onwards, all impediments to the growth and 
     development of all Nigerians shall be a matter of the past so 
     that is the next few years not even the sky shall be the 
     limit to the ambition of any of our citizens.
       In the shortest possible time, our reputation as 49ers, 
     drug pushers and as a citadel of corruption will be wiped out 
     and a new image substituted of a people who fought gallantly 
     for democracy, press freedom, an independent, well-funded and 
     incorruptible judiciary, respect for life and property, and a 
     modern, powerful renascent Africa.
       As a matter of priority, my government will put an end to 
     the current deprivations of the rank and file of the Nigerian 
     Armed Forces and the Nigerian police some of whose salaries 
     have not been paid for up to 3 months. We shall improve their 
     housing and welfare provision commensurate with the sacrifice 
     they make for the safety and security of the Nation.
       Our government will tackle the issue of corruption very 
     strongly by ensuring enhanced degree of transparency in our 
     governance. We shall publish monthly report and values of 
     oil liftings, all government contracts shall be by public 
     tender and all major contract awards will be published 
     with details of the report of the tenders' board and 
     comparable prices of similar contracts awarded by African 
     or other nations. All enterprises involved in public 
     expenditure must have public auditors, who must publish 
     annual reports. It will be a criminal offence, punishable 
     by a jail term, for any public officer to refuse to 
     cooperate with a public auditor. All public officers 
     involved in major contract awards must publish their net 
     worth statement annually. Government will not give any 
     protection whatsoever to any official to prevent the press 
     from doing their duties of holding any official 
     accountable for his stewardship. These measures are in 
     addition to what already exists, all of which we pledge to 
     enforce rigorously.
       I will later address the nation on the issue of sovereign 
     national conference, which proceedings will start within the 
     100 days of my inauguration.
       Within 30 days, all democratic structures will return to 
     office to perform their constitutional duties in accordance 
     with their oath of office and allegiance based on the 
     people's mandate. Military officers posted to political 
     duties shall return to their formation for re-posting.
       From now onwards, all ministers, governors, legislators, 
     members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, security services, 
     police as well as officers and men of the civil and public 
     services will truly be servants and not masters of the 
     people.
       Our main objective is to ensure that, by the end of our 
     first year in office, every Nigerian, everywhere in the 
     global village will be able to say ``Yes, I am a Nigerian and 
     I am proud of it''.
       I must pay special tribute to the international community 
     for their concern to see democracy restored in Nigeria. We 
     recognise that their countries which have remained the 
     beacons of democracy do not recognise individuals or 
     personalities. We, however, expect them to continue their 
     support for the democratic forces in Nigeria and to accord 
     prompt recognition to our Government of National Unity.
       I extend our hands of fellowship to all Nigerians no matter 
     their political preferences to identify with and participate 
     in this Government of National Unity. The crucial lesson that 
     Nigerians must have learnt from the event of the last 9 years 
     is that credible political leaders of whatever persuasions, 
     must abandon the policy of winner-take-all and so provide 
     unity and consensus on fundamental issues of public interest. 
     The tiny clique of military adventurers who have consistently 
     and illegally used the military institution to forcefully 
     overthrow constituted authorities must never be allowed at 
     another gamble in our nation.
       Nigerians must rise up to protect democracy and our divine 
     right to elect leaders to govern us and for specified period 
     of time. We must adopt an immutable twin policies of non-
     recognition and non-fraternization with any military 
     dictators whose only authority is based on their misuse of 
     guns and ammunitions bought by Nigerians for the defence of 
     our territorial integrity.
       We salute all Nigerians for their patience and courage in 
     the face of this intimidation and provocation by the military 
     clique who are desperate to remain in office. We remember, in 
     particular, the gallant heroes and heroines of democracy who 
     paid the supreme price in the struggle against military 
     dictatorship. We are committed to ensuring that their 
     sacrifice is not in vain.
       We assure all Nigerians and our friends of our 
     determination to ensure that the nightmare of military 
     dictatorship is finally over.
       God bless Nigeria!
                                  ____


 Address to the People of Nigeria by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, President 
           of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, June 11, 1994

       People of Nigeria: Exactly one year ago, you turned out in 
     your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as 
     President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians 
     in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more devious 
     than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of your God-
     given right to be ruled by the President you had yourselves 
     elected.
       These soldier-politicians introduced into your body 
     politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political 
     lexicography; something strangely called the ``annulment'' of 
     an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, 
     cleanest and most peaceful held in our Nation.
       Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery 
     occurred, I have been constantly urged by the people of 
     goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back 
     into the people's hands and get them to actualize the mandate 
     they gave me at the polls.
       But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to 
     reign in our fragile Federation, I have so far tried to 
     pursue sweet reason and negotiation. My hope has always been 
     to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the 
     hearts of these thieves of your mandate, and to persuade that 
     they should allow their personal desire to rule to usher our 
     beloved country into an era of political instability and 
     economic ruin.
       All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has 
     been to try and get them to realize that only real democracy 
     can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her 
     respect she deserves from the international community.
       However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to 
     severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on 
     my part, those with whom I have sought to dialogue have 
     remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the 
     collective decision of the people of their own country, nor 
     to observe Allah's injunction that they should exhibit 
     justice and fair play in all their dealings with their fellow 
     man.
       Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the 
     gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears. 
     Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and 
     rule, bribery and political perfidy, disinformation and black 
     propaganda. They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. 
     Even the 71-year-old hero of our Nation, Chief Anthony 
     Enahoro was not spared.
       How much longer can we all tolerate all this?
       People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried 
     to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and 
     walk the longest mile in order to get these men to obey the 
     will of our people. There is no humiliation I have not 
     endured, no snare that has not been put into my path. No set-
     up that has not been designed for me, in my endeavour to use 
     the path of peace to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on 
     me one year ago.
       It has been a long night. But the dawn is here. Today, 
     People of Nigeria, I join you all in saying ``Enough is 
     Enough!''
       We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years 
     of independence. Military rule has led to our Nation fighting 
     a civil war with itself. Military rule has destabilized our 
     Nation today as never before in its history. Military rule 
     has impoverished our people and introduced a dreadful trade 
     in drugs which has made our country's name an anathema in 
     many parts of the world.
       Even soccer fans going to watch the Green Eagles play in 
     America are being made to suffer needlessly because Nigeria's 
     name is linked with credit card fraud and ``419''.
       Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige 
     due our country because of its size and population. The 
     permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that 
     should be rightfully ours is all but lost. For who will vote 
     for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigeria's military rulers do 
     not respect the votes of their own people? Enough of military 
     rule.
       We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no 
     personal achievement, either in building up private 
     businesses, or making a success of any tangible thing, being 
     placed in charge of the management of our Nation's economy, 
     by rulers who are not accountable to anyone. Enough of square 
     pegs in round holes.
       We are tired of the military's repetitive tendency to 
     experiment with our economy. Today, they say: ``No Controls'' 
     Tomorrow, they say: ``Full controls''. The day after they 
     say: ``Fine tuning''. The next day, they say: 
     ``Devaluation''. A few days later they say: ``Revalue the 
     same Naira upwards again''. Abi?
       All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game 
     of military ``about-turns'': high inflation; a huge budget 
     deficit; and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden; dying 
     industries; high unemployment; and a demoralized populace. 
     Our youth, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and 
     many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the 
     Brain Drain. Is this the Nigeria we want?
       We are plagued also by periodic balance of payment crises, 
     which have led to a perennial shortage of essential drugs, 
     that has turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries. A 
     scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our institutions 
     of higher learning into desolate deserts of ignorance.
       Our factories are crying for machinery, spare parts and raw 
     materials. But each day that passes, instead of these 
     economic diseases being cured they are rather strengthened as 
     an irrational allocation of foreign exchange based on 
     favoritism and corruption becomes the order of the day.
       Enough, oh enough of economic mismanagement!
       People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, 
     I presented you with a programme entitled ``HOPE 93''. This 
     programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic 
     problems that have demoralized us all. I toured every part of 
     Nigeria to present this programme to you, the electorate. I 
     was questioned on it at public rallies and press conferences 
     and I had the privilege of incorporating into it much of the 
     feedback that I obtained from the people.
       Because you knew I would not only listen to you, but 
     deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for me 
     in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority over my 
     opponent.
       To be precise, you gave me 58.4% of the popular vote, and a 
     majority in 20 out of 30 States, plus the Federal Capital, 
     Abuja. Not only that, you also enable me to fulfill the 
     constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain \1/
     3\ of the votes in \2/3\ of the States. I am sure that, when 
     you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you 
     ask yourselves, ``What have we done to deserve this, when we 
     have a President-elect who can lead a government that can 
     change things for the better?
       Our patience has come to an end, as of now, from this 
     moment on a new Government of National Unity is in power 
     throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of 
     Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as the President 
     and Commander-in-Chief. The National Assembly is hereby 
     reconvened. All the dismissed Governors of the States as 
     reinstated. The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are 
     all Local Government Councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-
     partisan approach to all the issues that come before them. At 
     the national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our 
     guiding principle.
       I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce 
     his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his 
     illegal ruling Council. We are prepared to enter into 
     negotiations with them to work out the mechanics for a smooth 
     transition of power. I pledge that if they hand over quietly, 
     they will be retired with all their entitlement, and their 
     positions will be accorded all the respect due to them. For 
     our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but 
     an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as 
     expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted 
     authority of the time.
       I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory 
     in the said election, to call on all Members of the Armed 
     Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services 
     throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the 
     Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only 
     elected President.
       My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate 
     constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as 
     of now.
       People of Nigeria, these are the most challenging times in 
     the history of our continent. Africa, and we in Nigeria must 
     not allow ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the 
     same as that waged by the people of South Africa, which has 
     been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. 
     Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that 
     country.
       Nelson Mandela fought to replace minority rule with 
     majority rule. We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace 
     minority rule, for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our 
     Armed Forces. Like the South Africans, we want majority rule 
     today; that is--rule only by those chosen by all the people 
     of Nigeria as a whole in free and fair elections. The only 
     difference between South Africa and Nigeria is that those who 
     imposed minority rule on the majority were white, while the 
     majority were black. But minority rule, whether it is black 
     or white, remains minority rule, and must be booted out.
       I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria, to emulate the 
     actions of your own brothers and sisters in South Africa and 
     stand up as one people to throw away the yoke of minority 
     rule forever.
       The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority 
     are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with 
     threat of police action. But do not let us fear arrest.
       In South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the 
     Campaign Against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails 
     could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone forever. 
     So let it be with Nigeria. Let us say goodbye for ever to 
     minority rule by the military.
       They talk of treason. But haven't they heard of the Rivonia 
     treason trials in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt 
     the march of history?
       People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository 
     of power in this land. No-one can give you power. It is 
     yours. Take it! From this day, show to the world that anyone 
     who takes the people of Nigeria for fools is deceiving 
     himself and will have the people to answer to.
       God Bless you all.
       Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
       Long Live the Government of National Unity.

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