s we remember the demise of the Founding General Secretary of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Comrade Chima Ubani and Mr. Tunji Oyeleru, photo Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, it is another sober moment to call on Nigerians to organize to free Nigerians from the shackles of irresponsible governance.
Comrade Ubani and Oyeleru died in a ghastly Motor accident on September 21st, 2005 while on a nationwide mobilization against the hike in the prices of petroleum products by the wicked and insensitive Obasanjo administration.
In Chima, we lost a consistent fighter, dogged activist and a street veteran who believed so much in the capacity of the oppressed people to break the chains with which they are bound. His sudden exit has left an open flank in the battle field as Chima was a peculiar fighter with formidable skills and strengths.
It is sad that four years after their death. We are still confronted with the very issue they were fighting against. The successor-in-chief to Obasanjo in the business of insensitivity to the plight of the poor, President Yar’Adua is contemplating another round of fuel price increases even as life becomes more and more unbearable for the vast majority of our citizens.
The memory of Chima Ubani should propel us to organize ourselves and fight the plan and all other anti-people measures of the government.
As Chima Ubani would not have folded his arms watching the indifference of government to the almost 3months old ASUU strike, he would be glad in his grave if all patriotic forces join hands with the University Workers to pile sufficient pressure on the Yar’Adua government to address their demands and save our education system from total collapse.
Chima Ubani has come to play his beautiful part in the vast theatre of life and is now in the company of our pantheons with Chief Gani Fawehinmi being the latest arrival.
We shall greatly miss Chima Ubani and Tunji Oyeleru but we surely will always remember them anywhere the oppressed are gathered to shake off their chains, their moral grandeur shall always be present at the barricades, their fond memories shall be eternal And those who were responsible for the policies that led to their untimely exit would be unsung when their time comes.
Chima has left his good footprint in the sand of time. The challenge for those of us who are left is to complete the unfinished task and make our fallen heroes proud in their graves.
Sleep well Chima and Tunji.
The martyrdom of the Ubanis and Oyelerus will propel us to fight and ensure that Nigeria becomes a better place in our lifetime.
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin
President
Campaign for Democracy (CD)
To refresh your memory, please access and read this article written in 2007, using the link provided:
http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/ubochi/101007.html
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