Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede, a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has shared poignant reflections on his harrowing experiences, personal sacrifices, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Speaking during a recent interview with Channel Television, the veteran activist recounted how the struggle to restore democracy in the 1990s, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, changed his life forever. As a fierce critic of military rule, especially during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, Otunba Ogunkeyede became a marked man.
He narrated how his life was upended by persistent persecution under Abacha’s junta.
In hey days of democratic struggle during Abacha junta, Ogunkeyede who then lived in the United States mobilized international support for democracy in Nigeria. However, even thousands of miles away, he wasn’t safe. His home in New York was mysteriously burnt down, an incident widely believed to be linked to his pro-democracy activities.
“Those of us who carried on fighting for this nation should not have been forgotten,” Ogunkeyede said during the interview.
“Not me alone, there were many of us. But few of us truly put our lives on the line. I am among the first ten. I don’t know too many people who lost their homes except General Alani Akinrinade and a few others. My house was fire-burnt on June 15, 1996. We were to start an all-night vigil for Kudirat Abiola on June 17 of that same year. I could not even sleep in my own home.”
Despite the personal losses, Ogunkeyede remained unwavering. He played a critical role in galvanizing the Nigerian diaspora and lobbying U.S. lawmakers to place pressure on the military regime back home.
Recalling how NADECO abroad took shape, JMK as he fondly called, said, “Some of us didn’t live in Nigeria then. I’m talking about NADECO abroad. What brought about NADECO abroad was when the current president, Chief Anthony Enahoro, and others joined us in America. There had to be a demarcation. They came because they had to leave Nigeria, and we supported them. On January 2, 1995, Chief Ralph Obiora told me he had received information from Nigeria that I should leave NADECO. I didn’t even know what NADECO was at that time. I had to ask, ‘What is NADECO? (National Democratic Coalition).”
He explained how individual membership in NADECO evolved under their leadership.
“Back then, you couldn’t join NADECO as a person—only organizations could. But it was during our time abroad that this changed. We pushed for it to be open to individuals as well, because we were leading the struggle internationally.”
Ogunkeyede stated that the democracy Nigeria enjoys today is a result of the sacrifices made by many people, not just a few prominent names. While acknowledging that President Bola Tinubu cannot remember every single contributor, he believes some names should never be sidelined.
“Many people participated in this struggle. It’s not something that should be monopolised. There’s no way a person like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would remember everybody, but some of us are very significant in the roles we played. We should not be pushed aside by whoever compiled those lists for the President,” he said.
He added, “But I stand with President Tinubu because what he’s doing now will help democracy thrive in Nigeria.”
One of Ogunkeyede’s enduring legacies abroad is the naming of Kudirat Abiola Corner in New York, a symbolic tribute to the late wife of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who was assassinated during the struggle. Ogunkeyede was instrumental in pushing for the honor, ensuring that the sacrifice of Kudirat Abiola, and the larger June 12 movement would not be forgotten by the international community.
“I have no regrets. If I had to do it all over again, I would. Because Nigeria must never return to the dark days of tyranny,” he maintained.
Now a respected elder statesman and grassroots mobiliser, Otunba Ogunkeyede continues to lend his voice to national discourse. While he may no longer be on the frontline of protests or exiled in foreign lands, his message to the younger generation is clear: “democracy must be defended, and freedom comes at a cost.”
