A book on the aborted third republic and the June 12 debacle under former President Ibrahim Babangida has been published by members of the National Association of Political Correspondents made up of veteran journalists and political correspondents.
The book is titled Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 debacle: Reporters’ Account contains articles on various aspects of the events during the period by 33 contributors.
It is edited by Deba Uwadiae, formerly of Vanguard Newspaper, now United States-based publisher of New Americans Magazine, Dr Emeka Nwosu, former president of NAPOC who was also Political Editor of Daily Times, Dr Segun Olanipekun, former Political Editor of News Agency of Nigeria, now Adjunct Professor of Journalism in the United States and Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, a former Political Correspondent of The Guardian Newspaper.
Divided into five sections covering the beginning and establishment of different political agencies, the intrigues, interventions, interviews and introspection, the book also contained tributes to deceased members of the association.
Presently available on major international e-book stores including Amazon and Barnes and noble, the book will be launched in Nigeria later in the year.
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It is also out in Rakuten Kobo, the biggest e-book store in the whole of Asia.
In the foreword, former Director, Public Affairs of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) Professor Tonnie Iredia wrote that the book comes in as a fresh addition to research efforts aimed at getting an authentic record of what actually transpired before, during and after the election.
“As a compilation by eyewitnesses – media correspondents attached to political institutions such as the Electoral Commission and the political parties, the compilation is uniquely authoritative. For this and other sundry reasons, I consider the book extremely momentous, especially for its capacity to illuminate the real nature of political contestations in Nigeria.
“I therefore highly recommend the book to politicians, historians, political scientists, and all other interest groups who are desirous of comprehending politics and elections in Nigeria’s heterogeneous landscape.”
In the introduction of the book, Segun Adeniyi, Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board, who reported for The Guardian on Sunday, African Concord, Sunday Concord during the period and later became presidential spokesman, noted that by documenting an essential epoch in Nigeria’s political journey, respected political reporters (some now retired, some still active) provide insights on where we are coming from as a people, tragic mistakes made by the military and political actors of a certain era, lessons we have refused to learn as well as what might have been had we followed a different trajectory.
“What makes this book particularly significant and compelling is that, given the demographics of Nigeria, most of our citizens were born after the ‘June 12’ fiasco of 1993. And they need to know these stories.
“Let’s be clear, ‘Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and The June 12 Debacle: Reporters’ Account’ is by no means a definitive account of the controversial transition to civil rule programme of General Babangida. Or for that matter, the annulled June 12 presidential election. But it is a fascinating collection, reminding us of the forces that shaped our past and may perhaps be responsible for Nigeria’s present dilemma,” Adeniyi stated.
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