As Nigeria advances towards marking 32 years after the annulment of June 12 presidential elections, which led to massive resistance that ended military rule on 29 May, 1999 it is also worthy to recognize one of the unsung heroes who whose underground efforts essentially contributed to the exit of military rule, that person is Chief John Olumuyiwa Filani.
John Filani’s academic establishment, the London Academy Of Administrative Studies in England was one of the venues where exiled pro-democracy activists andNational Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftains. usually converge to hold their meetings when Nigerian environment became so hostile for them to live in, having being blacklisted and placed on security watch list of then military junta, late Gen. Sani Abacha.
The Ikole Ekiti born Olumuyiwa was notable for his unique roles as one of the strongest members of NADECO, which fought against the military regime of Abacha.
There are many stories about the struggle against military rule that have not been told. Some may never be told or have only been relayed in half. The story of the over 3,400 sacked workers of the NSPMC and their contributions to the exit of military tyranny is one of such.
Though many of the actors have died, including the former General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), late Chief Frank Ovie Kokori who spent 4 years in Bama prison in Maiduguri and was declared a prisoner of conscience by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Amnesty International (AI).
L-R: Rtd .Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Barrister Jide Aminu-Lar, Hon. Olufosoye, Pa Anthony Enahoro (late), Chief John olumuyiwa Filani, President Hamed Bola Tinubu, GCFR (Location Central London).
A few of them who are still alive have hardly spoken about their heroic exploits in one of Nigeria’s most deadly battles against entrenched principalities and powers. The workers were sacked after the military tagged them as ‘agents of opposition.’ The workers sought revenge in an underground movement that shook the bedrock of the country.
In those dark days in the country, those who raised eyebrows were arrested and detained, traced to their homes, harassed and faced humiliation, victimization, incaseration and some even paid the supreme price during the struggle.
However, posterity will continue to be kind to all the heroes who dared the military jackboots in restoring democracy in Nigeria. Among them were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the late politician and lawyer, Chief Bola Ige and human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN); Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana (SAN) as well as former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.
Others are late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, late Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, late Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Comrade Joseph Iranola Akinlaja, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Rtd .Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Barrister Jide Aminu-Lar, Hon. Olufosoye, late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, and others who have transited to the higher realm.
