By Banji Ayoola
Nigerian political leaders are mourning the country’s departed number two man who was deputy to the late dictator and military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha.
Diya, as Chief of General Staff in the Abacha dictatorship, was prominently visible in that regime, which fought desperately to crush the prodemocracy activists who were clamouring for the revalidation of Nigeria’s first-ever freest presidential election in 1983, which was overwhelmingly won by the flamboyant, multimillionaire publisher and philanthropist, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Abiola’s election was annulled by his friend and military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, retired, an action which sparked off the country’s foremost protracted bloody pro-democracy struggles during which leading activists, including Abiola’s wife, Kudirat; a financier of the struggles, Chief Alfred Rewane; among others were assassinated. Many others, with their property, were bombed.
Also, many of the activists including the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka; the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, an activist of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, which spearheaded the struggles; NADECO leader, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro; Dan Suleiman; immediate ex-Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who coordinated Radio Kudirat; and many others flew into exile through the “NADECO route”.
Abiola himself, who refused to compromise his mandate despite many tempting offers, and threats to his life, later died in detention during the dictatorship of Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, retired, who eventually handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999.
Nevertheless, the pro-democracy struggles intensified until the military vacated governance and handed over to a democratically elected government on May 29, 1999.
Aside from the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War, which was Nigeria’s blackest and bloodiest era ever during which millions of promising lives were wasted senselessly on the battlefields, the era of the prodemocracy struggle cost Nigeria many promising lives, including journalists, who were either bombed out of existence or shot directly by agents of death and destruction.
Besides, many others including the late NADECO leader, Chief Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya; The Guardian founding publisher while serving as a minister in the Abacha dictatorship; were shot at close range by the same agents of terror. Though they did not die on the spot, they bore the painful scars of the shootings while the effects of the gruesome attacks on them lingered till they eventually passed on.
It was a terrible moment for Nigeria!
As reported by The Nation, President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect Bola Tibubu, in their condolence messages, said Lt.-Gen. Donaldson Oladipo Diya was a man who protected Nigeria’s unity and strengthened the military.
Others who mourned Diya’s passage included Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbjabiamila as well as former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki.
President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, recalled: “Diya was known for his brilliance, exceptional organisational skills, and discipline.”
He explained that the former Chief of General Staff displayed the “virtues in the important roles he held in office as a military officer.”
The President saluted Diya “for his love, belief, and loyalty to the country he cherished so much and fought gallantly on the frontlines to defend her unity.”
Buhari, who prayed for the repose of Diya’s soul, extended “Federal Governments heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family”.
Also, President-elect Tinubu described Diya as a stabilising factor at a critical and most turbulent of the country’s life.
Expressing sadness over the passing of the general, Tinubu praised his contributions to national development.
“The news of the death of Gen. Oladipo Diya early this(yesterday) morning came to me as a shock.
“I send my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his immediate family, especially his wives and children,” he said in a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman.
The President-elect added: “Diya lived a remarkable life as a soldier and he made his mark in the military where he served our country diligently.
“As Military Governor of Ogun State, in the various military positions, he held till he rose to the enviable position of Chief of General Staff and second in command to the Head of State, he served meritoriously.
“As much as he could, he played a stabilising role during one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s life in the aftermath of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
“He will be remembered for his patriotism and service to the nation.
“My condolences to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the people of Ogun State.
FEC, also mourned the death of Diya, saying he was a seasoned military officer with admirable administrative capabilities.
“The council condoled with the government and people of Ogun State and prayed to God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.”
FEC’s condolence message was signed by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Willie Bassey,
The statement partly reads: “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, CFR, on behalf of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has received with shock the death of the former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya (rtd), which sad event occurred on Sunday, 26th March 2023.
“SGF describes General Diya as a seasoned military officer with admirable administrative capabilities in his various functions as the Military Governor of Ogun State (1984 -1985), Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chief of General Staff (1993 – 1997); as well as a notable statesman who made invaluable contributions to nation-building.”
Governor Abiodun commiserated with the government and people of Nigeria, as well as the military, friends and associates on the passing of the soldier-statesman.
Abiodun described the departed general as a seasoned administrator, gentleman and officer whose contributions to the development of Nigeria’s security architecture would remain indelible.
“He was courageous and daring, quick-witted and patriotic.
“Gen. Diya played frontline roles in the evolution and development of the state and his activities in the military, in part led to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country In 1999,” Abiodun said in a statement by his spokesman, Kunle Somorin.
The governor called on Diya’s family members, friends and associates to take solace in the fact that the late soldier-statesman played the parts assigned to him by providence diligently, conscientiously and patriotically meritoriously.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Diya’s death was a great loss to the country.
In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the late Diya as a gallant soldier and elder statesman who served the country meritoriously as a military officer, governor of Ogun State and Chief of General Staff.
He commiserated with Governor Abiodun and the entire people of the state, especially indigenes of Odogbolu, on the demise of their illustrious son.
Sanwo-Olu said: “The death of Lt.-General Oladipo Diya is a colossal loss to the country.
“He fought, along with several other patriots tirelessly for a united Nigeria during his days in the Nigerian Army, especially during the Civil War.
“He also held positions in the Armed Forces and rose to the position of the Chief of General Staff, (de facto Vice President of Nigeria) under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give his immediate family, friends, associates and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Okowa said news of Diya’s death was saddening, especially as the nation was currently in dire need of the wise counseling of well-meaning Nigerians.
Okowa, however, remarked that the memories of the departed general would remain immortal.
He urged Nigerians and the Yoruba race, in particular, to remember him for his illustrious contributions to the unity of Nigeria and the sanctity of its sovereignty.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, the governor also commiserated with the Ogun State Government, the Diya family of Odogbolu, and the people of the state on the passing of the general.
Uzodimma said with Diya’s death, Nigeria had lost another professional soldier.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary/ Media Adviser Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary/ Media Adviser, commiserated, not just the Diya family and the people of Odogbolu but the government and people of Ogun State, the military and the Federal Government over the loss.
LP presidential candidate in the February 25 election Peter Obi, has mourned the death of Diya, saying his service to the people and the nation in different capacities would always be remembered.
Nigeria’s former Chief of Staff, Lt- General Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd), and LP member, Humphrey Anumudu.
In a post on his verified Twitter handle yesterday, Obi prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear this colossal loss and grant peaceful repose to his soul.
He also mourned the death of LP’s governorship aspirant for Imo State, Humphrey Anumudu.
“Today (yesterday), I paid a condolence visit to the family of a dear friend, and political colleague, Mr Humphrey Anumudu, whom I was deeply saddened by the news of his sudden death.”
Also, Senate President Lawan described Diya as a fine officer who played his role dutifully during some of Nigeria’s most critical times.
Lawan, according to a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, condoled with the government and people of Ogun State over the incident.
Lawan said Diya kept his dignity under the unfortunate circumstances that ended his military career and remained a respected member of his community until he breathed his last.
Speaker Gbajabiamila recalled Diya’s commitment and service to Nigeria during his term in office as CGS and in other capacities.
In a statement by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila prayed for the repose of the soul of the late general and prayed to God to give his family, the people and the government of Ogun State the fortitude to bear the loss.
A former Senate President Mark, who expressed sadness over the death of Diya, described him as one of the shining lights of the Army and by extension the Armed Forces.
Mark, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, recalled that Diya was at the forefront of the promotion of professionalism and intellectualism in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Another former Senate President Saraki noted that as the de facto “Vice-President” under Gen. Sani Abacha, Diya played many significant roles in the country’s history.
“His contributions to the Nigerian Armed Forces and his service to the nation will always be remembered.
“As the nation mourns his passing, I extend my condolences to his family, friends, and his associates.
“I pray that they find solace in the knowledge that he served Nigeria honourably and that his invaluable service to the nation will never be forgotten,” Saraki said.
Others who also mourned the death of Diya are former Communications Minister Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Obi Angus.
Olanrewaju described the passing away of Diya as the loss of a national patriot, statesman, courageous officer and fine gentleman.
The former minister, who was jailed together with Diya by Abacha over an alleged coup but escaped death after the demise of Abacha in 1998, extolled the virtues of Diya as a principled military officer with a high intellectual disposition.
He said Diya would be remembered as an iconic personality in the history of nation-building.
Angus said Diya had not increased his rent since 2013 when became his tenant.
“Being daddy’s tenant is the best. I knew Daddy in 2013 and it had been a good story for me since then. Being daddy’s tenant is the best.
“Since 2013 till date, he has not increased my rent and always encouraged us to be good tenants.
“I miss you and we in number 18 Kodesho will miss you so much. Daddy, may your gentle soul continue to rest in peace,” he wrote on the condolence register.
