National Democratic Coalition (Nigeria)

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was formed on 15 May 1994 by a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats, who called on the military government of Sani Abacha to step down in favor of the winner of the 12 June 1993 election, M. K. O. Abiola.[1] The members mostly came from several pro-democracy and activist groups located especially in Lagos, the southwest region of the country.[2] They quickly became the symbol of mass resistance against military rule.[3] On 11 June 1994, using the groundwork laid by NADECO, Abiola declared himself president and went into hiding. He reemerged and was promptly arrested on 23 June.[4]

On 17 November 1994, the first anniversary of Abacha's coup, a bomb exploded 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."[5]

Wale Osun, acting secretary-general of the coalition, was arrested on 19 May 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.[6] 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.[7]

In August 1999, the coalition filed a claim for $20 million in compensation for abuses suffered under the Abacha regime.[8]

References
  1. "Nigeria: US Policy". UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER. 12 June 1997. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  2. Eghosa E. Osaghae (1998). Crippled giant: Nigeria since independence. Indiana University Press. p. 294. ISBN 0-253-21197-2.
  3. Gilbert M. Khadiagala, Terrence Lyons (2001). African foreign policies: power and process. Lynne Rienner Publishers. p. 30. ISBN 1-55587-966-7.
  4. "Background Note: Nigeria". US Department of State. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  5. "CRISIS IN NIGERIA - Call for Oil Embargo". Earth Action. July 1996. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  6. "Africa Denounces Arrests of Human Rights and Pro-Democracy Activists and Continuing Disintegration of Rule of Law". Human Rights Watch. 8 June 1995. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  7. "Nigeria May Ask U.S. Ambassador About Bombings". New York Times. 17 July 1997. p. A9. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  8. "Nigeria: Information on the Persecution of National Democratic Coalition Members in Nigeria". United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. 27 October 1999. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
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