The National Association of Political Correspondents is set to host a public presentation of a book put together by journalists who occupied the frontline of reporting the General Ibrahim Babangida Transition Programme from inception to cessation.
The 242-page book titled, ‘Nigeria’s aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Reporters’ account will be presented at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Garki, Abuja, on September 20.
According to a statement signed by Felix Oboagwina for NAPOC, the book is a potpourri of exclusive revelations and analyses on the key personalities and clandestine dramas that defined the aborted third republic.
The book was edited by Prof Abiodun Adeniyi (Baze University, Abuja), Dr Segun Olanipekun (USA), Mr Deba Uwadiae (USA) and Dr Emeka Nwosu (Abuja).
“Several books have been written by different actors about the third republic, the IBB transition programme and the making of June 12. Some of the works have been futile journeys in whitewashing and vainglory. We the contributors to this NAPOC project have written with our usual professional objectivity and unbiased candour, not minding whose ox is gored,” said Adeniyi.
On his part, Nwosu said, “Trust me, ‘Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Reporters’ Account’ is a collectors’ item. Readers will find it an invaluable resource material for researchers and a treasure on the shelf of personal, organisational, institutional, and international libraries.”
Another editor, Uwadiae, said, “This historical project has been put together by a medley of veteran political journalists, many of whom have moved on to other callings within the country and internationally. Nevertheless, they caught the vision of contributing a body of literature capable of enriching Nigeria’s nation-building effort; and they made the necessary sacrifices to produce this invaluable work.”
Olanipekun, the third leg of the editorial team, said, “We were all journalists assigned by our different media houses to cover the aborted third republic. This book contains unpublished gleanings from our reporter’s notebooks. It has significantly revealed the many untold dramas and shenanigans that defined that portion of Nigerian history. Even then, this book goes beyond mere storytelling, it drips with razor-sharp analyses.”
Dignitaries expected to honour the September 20 presentation of the project in Abuja include a former Chairman, Daily Trust Editorial Board, Mahmud Jega, designated as Book Reviewer, and Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, who chairs the occasion.
Also expected are the National Chairmen of the defunct Third Republic political parties, Chief Tom Ikimi of the National Republican Convention and Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe of the Social Democratic Party, asides Governors, Senators, House of Representatives Members and other political actors and juggernauts from that era.
