The convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), who spoke at the 176th International Students Day, organised by the Ogun State government, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, said Obasanjo played a negative role in the students unrest of 1978.
Bakare, who delivered a paper, entitled: ‘‘Good Governance: Sustainability of Democracy, the Role of Students in the Forthcoming General Election,” accused the former president of killing students unionism in Nigeria.
“General Olusegun Obasanjo’s government ordered the brutal suppression of that protest. Live bullets were unleashed on protesting students.
“As we proceeded outside Unilag’s main gate, I narrowly escaped death as Akintunde Ojo, the young man standing just beside me, was gunned down.
“Through that incident, Obasanjo carved his name on marble as a villain of democracy.”
“I did not mince words when opportunity presented itself in November of 1978, when I pointed to his face and said “this government possesses power without compassion, might without morality and strength without sight,” Bakare added.
He lamented the sorry state of students unionism in the country, arguing that it had been hijacked by “the never-do-well.”
Bakare noted that students unionism had fallen from its pinnacle of intellectual doggedness and ideological astuteness, describing the height of the fall with the conferment of the title “Defender of Democracy” on Obasanjo in 2005 by students body.
He also condemned the role played by student leaders in the botched third term bid of Obasanjo.
He said: “Nevertheless, students unionism in Nigeria today is in a sorry state. Not only has it fallen from its pinnacle of intellectual doggedness and ideological astuteness, it has lost its activist steam and has become a mere appendage of ruling political parties and a tool in the hands of corrupt politicians.’’
culled from tribune
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