Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security
Officer (CSO) to General Sani Abacha – the late Nigerian military ruler – was
in Bauchi State recently on peace and unity advocacy. In this interview with
Journalists, he spoke on his status in the military, the proposed National
Conference, among other issues. Excerpts:
Officer (CSO) to General Sani Abacha – the late Nigerian military ruler – was
in Bauchi State recently on peace and unity advocacy. In this interview with
Journalists, he spoke on his status in the military, the proposed National
Conference, among other issues. Excerpts:
How powerful were you during the reign of the
late General Sani Abacha?
late General Sani Abacha?
Those who offended the system who also wanted, on the other
hand, the general society to believe them that they were good, particularly
after the death of General Sani Abacha, initiated that propaganda. Those who
found themselves in coup-making and then were arrested, they believed since
General Sani Abacha was dead, the only person they can put that blame upon was
me. You know, those who were arrested for coup at that time later found
themselves in politics after they were released; they believed it was time for
vengeance against General Sani Abacha and, in his absence, I became their
target. But the me you see is the me I was – no more, no less. Critically, time
will tell when some memos are being presented. That time will come, God
willing. I am the way I am. I was portrayed differently but for me service to
this country was all I put forward before me.
hand, the general society to believe them that they were good, particularly
after the death of General Sani Abacha, initiated that propaganda. Those who
found themselves in coup-making and then were arrested, they believed since
General Sani Abacha was dead, the only person they can put that blame upon was
me. You know, those who were arrested for coup at that time later found
themselves in politics after they were released; they believed it was time for
vengeance against General Sani Abacha and, in his absence, I became their
target. But the me you see is the me I was – no more, no less. Critically, time
will tell when some memos are being presented. That time will come, God
willing. I am the way I am. I was portrayed differently but for me service to
this country was all I put forward before me.
Want is your reaction to the proposed National
Conference?
Even you as a young man, what should actually come to your mind
is anything that is positive, anything that will bring people to interact and
create a new passage or new openings for the country to foster greater ties or
greater heights should be seen to be supported. Even if at the end of the day
the new chart will not work, some people somewhere will look at it as a
platform to make some adjustments. The whole world over will not come just
sitting. There are times for retreat, times for adjustments, times to effect
changes for a better tomorrow and a better country. We should always be making
projections and then be doing it right, all for tomorrow. Nigeria, in my
understanding, should always be seen to be led on a platform well designed for
Nigeria to attain some certain goals for its greatness.
is anything that is positive, anything that will bring people to interact and
create a new passage or new openings for the country to foster greater ties or
greater heights should be seen to be supported. Even if at the end of the day
the new chart will not work, some people somewhere will look at it as a
platform to make some adjustments. The whole world over will not come just
sitting. There are times for retreat, times for adjustments, times to effect
changes for a better tomorrow and a better country. We should always be making
projections and then be doing it right, all for tomorrow. Nigeria, in my
understanding, should always be seen to be led on a platform well designed for
Nigeria to attain some certain goals for its greatness.
What is your view on the unity of the country
as there are calls in some quarters for the country to be divided?
as there are calls in some quarters for the country to be divided?
Personally, I am against anything that will dismember Nigeria.
We have everything to lose if we get this country fragmented. United we stand.
If you look at the genesis of the process that brought this country together to
where we are, I don’t think one should be seen to be supporting anything that
will foment trouble or crisis in this land. What is happening in Congo, what is
happening in Sudan, what is happening in Egypt; these are African countries. I
am citing examples of African countries. Nigerian children in the military went
to Sierra Leone, went to Liberia, we lost so many in trying to help them in
curtailing insurgencies. We have our own insurgency happening and our brothers
and sisters are dying by the day. The right thing to do for the right citizens
is actually to foster ties for unity and peace in this land. That is the only
thing we can do and anything that will foment trouble, certainly is detestable.
We have everything to lose if we get this country fragmented. United we stand.
If you look at the genesis of the process that brought this country together to
where we are, I don’t think one should be seen to be supporting anything that
will foment trouble or crisis in this land. What is happening in Congo, what is
happening in Sudan, what is happening in Egypt; these are African countries. I
am citing examples of African countries. Nigerian children in the military went
to Sierra Leone, went to Liberia, we lost so many in trying to help them in
curtailing insurgencies. We have our own insurgency happening and our brothers
and sisters are dying by the day. The right thing to do for the right citizens
is actually to foster ties for unity and peace in this land. That is the only
thing we can do and anything that will foment trouble, certainly is detestable.
You said that we stand to lose a lot if
Nigeria disintegrates. What are those things that we stand to lose?
Nigeria disintegrates. What are those things that we stand to lose?
So many things. You know the history of this country, how do you
see a fragmented Nigeria? That alone tells you a lot. The North and the South
integration so far, alone, our history, our people, the affection between us,
things that bind us together, the commitment, the promises, the hopes and
confidence, the aspect of investment of some people in hope and restoration in
this country will lead to many things like you have seen in some other
countries.
see a fragmented Nigeria? That alone tells you a lot. The North and the South
integration so far, alone, our history, our people, the affection between us,
things that bind us together, the commitment, the promises, the hopes and
confidence, the aspect of investment of some people in hope and restoration in
this country will lead to many things like you have seen in some other
countries.
What is your status in the military now?
In the military? You know, the Lagos State Government has filed
an appeal at the Supreme Court and, ordinarily, until a matter is properly
disposed of legally, you are not allowed to do anything. It is when the matter
is disposed of finally that the provisions of military laws will take its
course.
an appeal at the Supreme Court and, ordinarily, until a matter is properly
disposed of legally, you are not allowed to do anything. It is when the matter
is disposed of finally that the provisions of military laws will take its
course.
During your speech, when you paid a courtesy
call on Governor Isa Yuguda at the Government House, you said since 1997 when
you last set your feet on this place, others were busy propagating ethnic
cleansing. Do you think those people have stopped their ethnic cleansing agenda
and, if they have not, who are those people?
call on Governor Isa Yuguda at the Government House, you said since 1997 when
you last set your feet on this place, others were busy propagating ethnic
cleansing. Do you think those people have stopped their ethnic cleansing agenda
and, if they have not, who are those people?
What happened from 1999 till today, you should know that very
well. All the most unfortunate crises that took place in the country, to me,
most unfortunate were where thousands of our brothers and sisters were killed.
That is what I am against and that is what brought about the Owerri
Declaration, saying that all bodies that were known to have directly or
indirectly had roles before should be seen now to uphold the tenet of peace and
security and then keep that brotherhood spirit. Wherever they are, they should
be seen to be protective of Nigerians as against taking arms. That is what we did
in Owerri and that is what we intend to continue; it is part of the messages I
brought here, peace, unity, no more.
well. All the most unfortunate crises that took place in the country, to me,
most unfortunate were where thousands of our brothers and sisters were killed.
That is what I am against and that is what brought about the Owerri
Declaration, saying that all bodies that were known to have directly or
indirectly had roles before should be seen now to uphold the tenet of peace and
security and then keep that brotherhood spirit. Wherever they are, they should
be seen to be protective of Nigerians as against taking arms. That is what we did
in Owerri and that is what we intend to continue; it is part of the messages I
brought here, peace, unity, no more.
What message do you have for those who
misunderstood what your mission is all about?
misunderstood what your mission is all about?
Well, all I said to them is that they should look inward, be
sincere to God Almighty, love the country, love their brothers and sisters.
They should think about the country, make promises for the country for it to be
placed on the right passage so that tomorrow will be right, considering the
God-given resources, man-made and natural, which should be seen to be utilized
for Nigeria’s greatness. They shouldn’t look at greed, personal interest; they
shouldn’t look at their own selfish desire up and above that of Nigeria’s
interest, nothing more.
sincere to God Almighty, love the country, love their brothers and sisters.
They should think about the country, make promises for the country for it to be
placed on the right passage so that tomorrow will be right, considering the
God-given resources, man-made and natural, which should be seen to be utilized
for Nigeria’s greatness. They shouldn’t look at greed, personal interest; they
shouldn’t look at their own selfish desire up and above that of Nigeria’s
interest, nothing more.
Since your recent discharge and acquittal, you
have been going round the country with your peace initiative. Could you tell us
what your mission is with the formation of Al-Mustapha Peace, Unity and
Development Initiatives (APUDI)?
have been going round the country with your peace initiative. Could you tell us
what your mission is with the formation of Al-Mustapha Peace, Unity and
Development Initiatives (APUDI)?
I am here in Bauchi to convey our sincere appreciation for the
gestures accorded to us in the last 15 years while we were passing through
travails from His Highness, the late Emir of Bauchi (Alhaji Suleiman Adamu),
roles he played from the beginning through to the point he died – may his soul
rest in perfect peace – and culminating in this moment, the roles the present
Emir (Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu Sulaiman) has played in ensuring sympathy and
fighting against social injustice and in support of rights and its protection
of mankind. Second is that of meeting the youth and presenting to them the
mission of the body we are heading at the moment called APUDI. The meetings I
have had, that of the Government House, the one at the Emir’s palace and
culminating in the parley I had with the youth speak about the mission we have.
gestures accorded to us in the last 15 years while we were passing through
travails from His Highness, the late Emir of Bauchi (Alhaji Suleiman Adamu),
roles he played from the beginning through to the point he died – may his soul
rest in perfect peace – and culminating in this moment, the roles the present
Emir (Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu Sulaiman) has played in ensuring sympathy and
fighting against social injustice and in support of rights and its protection
of mankind. Second is that of meeting the youth and presenting to them the
mission of the body we are heading at the moment called APUDI. The meetings I
have had, that of the Government House, the one at the Emir’s palace and
culminating in the parley I had with the youth speak about the mission we have.
How do you intend to go about the mission? You
mentioned that each state should compile its problems in the form of a booklet
–
mentioned that each state should compile its problems in the form of a booklet
–
We have designed this approach believing that support will get
down to the grassroots directly. We do not want any stop gaps as it was in the
past where agencies in or outside government that were targeted to reach out to
our society or groups or associations in different aspects of life did have
stop gaps where, at the end of the day, aims did not reach to the point
expected. What we intend doing is a new thing entirely, God willing. First, you
now put together the problems. Second is to draw the attention of the youth to
the problems, and third is the mechanics of getting it solved, using the state
government, local government, Federal Government, agencies, parastatals, United
Nations’ bodies, some bodies in Europe and Asia. We intend to use whatever is
compiled and documented as the guide for presenting some solutions to the
problems, particularly the issues affecting us socially, economic problems,
problems of employment, seeking for jobs, support into entrepreneurship, skill
acquisition in general and the rest of it.
down to the grassroots directly. We do not want any stop gaps as it was in the
past where agencies in or outside government that were targeted to reach out to
our society or groups or associations in different aspects of life did have
stop gaps where, at the end of the day, aims did not reach to the point
expected. What we intend doing is a new thing entirely, God willing. First, you
now put together the problems. Second is to draw the attention of the youth to
the problems, and third is the mechanics of getting it solved, using the state
government, local government, Federal Government, agencies, parastatals, United
Nations’ bodies, some bodies in Europe and Asia. We intend to use whatever is
compiled and documented as the guide for presenting some solutions to the
problems, particularly the issues affecting us socially, economic problems,
problems of employment, seeking for jobs, support into entrepreneurship, skill
acquisition in general and the rest of it.
What informed your decision to form such a
non-governmental organization?
non-governmental organization?
Well, this is not new to me. This is something I have been into
since 1984. I have been registering youth associations, students’ activism in
the past and supported so many associations from the Northern and Southern
parts of the country to blossom. I am actually energized to reactivate it now
because I stopped from the moment I was arrested. Even in detention, I found it
necessary to register so many youth associations like NYO, African Youth
Congress, all are my brainchild from prison. Once the youth can have something
doing and I can have a platform that will bring support into bringing sanity
and hope into their lives, it is something that I should be seen to do without
looking back.
since 1984. I have been registering youth associations, students’ activism in
the past and supported so many associations from the Northern and Southern
parts of the country to blossom. I am actually energized to reactivate it now
because I stopped from the moment I was arrested. Even in detention, I found it
necessary to register so many youth associations like NYO, African Youth
Congress, all are my brainchild from prison. Once the youth can have something
doing and I can have a platform that will bring support into bringing sanity
and hope into their lives, it is something that I should be seen to do without
looking back.
What message do you then have for the youth
since they are your target?
since they are your target?
Their understanding, their cooperation, to go with the laid down
rules of documenting the association’s problems and then documenting their
membership and then putting together the problems, local government by local
government. Their expectations from the authorities so that at the end we can
have the right document that can draw the right attention onto them. So, I need
cooperation. I need peace in our country.
rules of documenting the association’s problems and then documenting their
membership and then putting together the problems, local government by local
government. Their expectations from the authorities so that at the end we can
have the right document that can draw the right attention onto them. So, I need
cooperation. I need peace in our country.
What you have said so far concerning your
mission seems contradictory to the image Nigerians were made to believe about
your person. What is your reaction to this?
mission seems contradictory to the image Nigerians were made to believe about
your person. What is your reaction to this?
Well, the way you see me is the way I was. That is my
upbringing. I have never been the person projected in the papers in the past 15
years by those who actually singled me out for persecution. We have been
trained to uphold the tenets of honesty, truth and service to the land and
there are some people who believe that doing so is a disservice to their
selfish interest. So, after the death of General Sani Abacha, they believed the
best they could do was to persecute us and take us off the road so that they can
continue with their path. Anything that is detrimental to the wellbeing of
Nigeria and Nigerians, high or low, I am against it but anything that is good
for the country, anything that will build Nigeria, anything that will do good
in laying good foundation for the younger ones, even those yet unborn I am part
of that. That is the way I have been, but there are reasons if you listened to
what happened at the Oputa Panel, from there we begin to draw some reference
and then for you to understand the truth. I am the way you see me; no more, no
less.
upbringing. I have never been the person projected in the papers in the past 15
years by those who actually singled me out for persecution. We have been
trained to uphold the tenets of honesty, truth and service to the land and
there are some people who believe that doing so is a disservice to their
selfish interest. So, after the death of General Sani Abacha, they believed the
best they could do was to persecute us and take us off the road so that they can
continue with their path. Anything that is detrimental to the wellbeing of
Nigeria and Nigerians, high or low, I am against it but anything that is good
for the country, anything that will build Nigeria, anything that will do good
in laying good foundation for the younger ones, even those yet unborn I am part
of that. That is the way I have been, but there are reasons if you listened to
what happened at the Oputa Panel, from there we begin to draw some reference
and then for you to understand the truth. I am the way you see me; no more, no
less.
You said that your organization is being
funded from above, who are these people above funding it?
funded from above, who are these people above funding it?
If you look at the crème of people that came with me, you will
see the large body here and this body has so many promising sons of Nigeria.
They have been my friends before and in the 1980s till this moment we have
supported so many activities; those of the youth, students and so many others
association from the North to the South. And then today, the fact that I am out,
it doesn?t mean they cannot continue. I thank them for the commitment and them
for putting their resources together for us to be here like the journey today,
somebody is responsible for our transportation, somebody is responsible for the
accommodation, somebody is responsible for our feeding, somebody is responsible
for bringing youth leaders who participated in what is going on and their
documentation. It is truly committed Nigerians who believe that peace and unity
in the past have created opportunities for them to have taken giant steps in
their businesses and, then, if they give back to the country on a path that is
laudable, then it should be seen to be. I actually continue to thank all of
them and I pray they will continue in this drive.
see the large body here and this body has so many promising sons of Nigeria.
They have been my friends before and in the 1980s till this moment we have
supported so many activities; those of the youth, students and so many others
association from the North to the South. And then today, the fact that I am out,
it doesn?t mean they cannot continue. I thank them for the commitment and them
for putting their resources together for us to be here like the journey today,
somebody is responsible for our transportation, somebody is responsible for the
accommodation, somebody is responsible for our feeding, somebody is responsible
for bringing youth leaders who participated in what is going on and their
documentation. It is truly committed Nigerians who believe that peace and unity
in the past have created opportunities for them to have taken giant steps in
their businesses and, then, if they give back to the country on a path that is
laudable, then it should be seen to be. I actually continue to thank all of
them and I pray they will continue in this drive.
Is there any political undertone in what you
are doing?
are doing?
No political undertone. I repeat, there is no political
undertone in what I am doing. Where you are envisaging crisis, where some
people are investing in crisis, the best thing you can do is to first study, make
some projections and then, on your own, be seen to give a helping hand, in
terms of bringing peace, nothing more.
undertone in what I am doing. Where you are envisaging crisis, where some
people are investing in crisis, the best thing you can do is to first study, make
some projections and then, on your own, be seen to give a helping hand, in
terms of bringing peace, nothing more.
What ambition do you have for 2015 then?
I have no ambition for 2015 elections. I am not a politician and
I have not registered with any political party. I am not a card-carrying member
of any political party. All I want is a peaceful, one co-ordinated, united,
Nigeria whose promises should be seen to be undoubtful; a country where the
youth will realize their potentialities much, towards Nigeria’s greatness.
I have not registered with any political party. I am not a card-carrying member
of any political party. All I want is a peaceful, one co-ordinated, united,
Nigeria whose promises should be seen to be undoubtful; a country where the
youth will realize their potentialities much, towards Nigeria’s greatness.
Culled from Saturday Independent
