National Democratic Coalition (Nigeria)
Encyclopedia
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was formed on May 15, 1994 by a broad coalition of Nigeria
n democrats, who called on the military government of Sani Abacha
to step down in favor of the winner of the June 12, 1993 election, M. K. O. Abiola
.
The members mostly came from the southwest of the country.
They quickly became the symbol of mass resistance against military rule.
On June 11, 1994, using the groundwork laid by NADECO, Abiola declared himself president and went into hiding. He reemerged and was promptly arrested on June 23.
On 17 November 1994, the first anniversary of Abacha's coup, a bomb exploding in Lagos
airport. In response, NADECO leaders warned "it will be a disaster, not only for Nigeria but for the whole world, if Nigerians come to the conclusion that only violence will secure the attention of the international community."
Wale Osun, acting secretary-general of the coalition, was arrested on May 19, 1995. After a bomb explosion later that month in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State
, the police arrested and interrogated Chief Cornelius Adebayo
and other NADECO members.
In July 1997, the government accused the National Democratic Coalition of responsibility for a series of bombings of military targets, and said publicly that they suspected American diplomats knew about the bombings in advance. The Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Coomassie
, said he wanted to question the American Ambassador and members of the US Embassy staff.
In August 1999, the coalition filed a claim for $20 million in compensation for abuses suffered under the Abacha regime.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n democrats, who called on the military government of Sani Abacha
Sani Abacha
General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military leader and politician. A Kanuri from Borno by tribe, he was born and brought up in Kano, Nigeria. He was the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998....
to step down in favor of the winner of the June 12, 1993 election, M. K. O. Abiola
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola , often referred to as M. K. O. Abiola, was a popular Nigerian Yoruba businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Egba clan...
.
The members mostly came from the southwest of the country.
They quickly became the symbol of mass resistance against military rule.
On June 11, 1994, using the groundwork laid by NADECO, Abiola declared himself president and went into hiding. He reemerged and was promptly arrested on June 23.
On 17 November 1994, the first anniversary of Abacha's coup, a bomb exploding in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
airport. In response, NADECO leaders warned "it will be a disaster, not only for Nigeria but for the whole world, if Nigerians come to the conclusion that only violence will secure the attention of the international community."
Wale Osun, acting secretary-general of the coalition, was arrested on May 19, 1995. After a bomb explosion later that month in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State
Kwara State
Kwara State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin. The primary ethnic group of Kwara State is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba and Fulani minorities.- History :...
, the police arrested and interrogated Chief Cornelius Adebayo
Cornelius Adebayo
Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo is a former Senator of Nigeria, who became a state governor, and later was head of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communications.-Background:Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo was born on February 24, 1941 in Igbaja in Kwara State...
and other NADECO members.
In July 1997, the government accused the National Democratic Coalition of responsibility for a series of bombings of military targets, and said publicly that they suspected American diplomats knew about the bombings in advance. The Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Coomassie
Ibrahim Coomassie
Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, was an Inspector General of Police of Nigeria from 1993 to 1999, serving under the military governments of Generals Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar.-Background:...
, said he wanted to question the American Ambassador and members of the US Embassy staff.
In August 1999, the coalition filed a claim for $20 million in compensation for abuses suffered under the Abacha regime.