TheCable

Abayomi Akintola, scion of the family of the late premier of the defunct Western Region, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, has given graphic details of the almost 20-hour siege that led to the assassination of his father during the January 15, 1966 coup.

Speaking at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, during a programme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the statesman, the younger Akintola said some 50 soldiers stormed their residence on the tragic day.

He revealed that his father volunteered to surrender to the troops to prevent a situation where his entire family would be wiped off.

The former Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary explained that contrary to the belief that the body of his father was mutilated by the mutineers, they abandoned his blood-soaked body at the entrance of his building.

He said none of the premier’s children or wives was injured while the gun attack lasted.

“I was managing a thriving business in Lagos when my later father directed me to relocate to Ibadan when he became premier,” he said.

“Although I was very reluctant to leave certainty for uncertainty, I had to defer to him. That was how I came to Ibadan.

“During the coup, about 50 soldiers invaded our house. My father was in a room within the house with us and we begged him not to go out. We shielded ourselves with the big wardrobes in the room as the soldiers began to shoot sporadically.

“At a stage my father told us he wanted to go and meet them, but we begged him not to go. Like the hero that he was, he told us that he would prefer to go and face them and damn the consequence, rather than to allow them to wipe out his family if they continue to hide.”

Akintola said his father eventually confronted the soldiers, who he claimed initially ran away, frightened that any living thing in the house could survive under the hail of bullets aimed at every direction in the building.

He said it was not until 7am the following day when the family came out of the building that they discovered the body of the family’s patriarch in a pool of his blood.

He described the late premier as a nationalist, a quintessential family man, a democracy lover, an orator and committed politician who did his best to raise the socio-economic profile of the Western region.

In his address, Abiola Ajimobi, governor of Oyo state, encouraged the family of the victim to reach out and involve more people and political leaders on issues and events relating to the late premier, whom he described as an “unsung hero.

He noted that the political evolution of the contemporary Nigeria began with the political activities and contributions of the likes of Akintola.

“Akintola died at God’s appointed time. It’s our fault that Akintola was not being celebrated the way we should,” he said.

“I want to first blame the family for monopolizing him; then the rest of us. That is why I would want us to start strategising on how to compensate this nationalist.

“The contemporary political history and evolution of Nigeria begins with the outstanding contributions of many notable nationalists, politicians and statesmen, who were beacons of light in their generation. In the forefront, no doubt, was the Late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola

“This late icon was an unsung hero, not only because of his unprecedented achievements as a politician, a parliamentarian, an astute administrator, but also because he was a bridge builder in Nigeria’s search for national integration.

“In the various ministries where he served and most importantly under his watch as the Premier, his administration became the centre of landmark achievements. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was an orator, humourist, forceful campaigner, crowd-puller and a frontline politician.”

The event was attended by Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of the stae; Mashood Adeoti, secretary to the Osun state government; Richard Akinjide, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice; Brimmo Yusuf, a former senator, among others.

On Friday, Ajimobi led top government officials in the state to lay wreaths in honour of the country’s war heroes.

At the programme, which held at the Remembrance Arcade, opposite the Government House, Ibadan, Ajimobi said: “It is pertinent to remember gallant solders that have put down their lives to sustain the unity of our dear country. We will continue to support them even when they are no more.”

Laz Ilo, general officer commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, described the programme as a good way of giving honour to the fallen soldiers, who “did their best and paid the supreme price for the unity, sovereignty and survival of the country”.