By Ihechukwu Sunday
Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, alongside other party’s stalwarts, have paid glowing tributes to late General Jeremiah Useni, a former Chief of Army Staff, describing him as an angel in the army uniform.
Adebayo said this when the SDP hierarchy paid a condolence visit to the family of the late army general and former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He recounted several memorable personal experiences with the deceased, including how he brought to an end students’ uprising at the University of Ife as an army officer without shot and how he counseled him before he took a dive into the presidential race in 2023.
“We are here because of our father. We are here to show that we are his children. We are here as SDP, but if you talk to everybody here, they all have a personal relationship with Baba. As of five weeks ago, I still spoke with him to say that we were coming to see him and he said then that he was due for treatment and we prayed together. He was an angel in army uniform.
“There was a story I heard about him at the University of Ife, where I schooled. During the crisis in Ife, when the government changed the western region, General Useni, then a major, was asked to go and disperse the trouble makers as the police had tried everything they could without success.
“When he got to the scene, he was able to disperse them without firing one shot. He said that when he got to the scene, he asked his boys to bring out their bullets and he called all the trouble makers out and said to them if I shoot this bullet to a tree, it will come out at the other end; are you as strong as a tree? I don’t want to shoot anybody. Please leave this place. He was surprised that he was able to disperse them without firing a shot,” he said.
On his encounter with him when he wanted to contest for president in 2023, he said: “When I told him that I would be running for president, he didn’t care whether he knew me or not. He granted me a lot of interviews after which he said you truly can be president of Nigeria. I will talk to more people about you. But let me tell you from my personal experience. Take up the country first. If you don’t get it, don’t make trouble. In my own time, I let it be. If it’s God’s time, you will get it.
“Politics is very difficult for soldiers, but Baba was able to do a smooth transition from being a soldier to a senator, and on many occasions, people who have done politics with him will never leave him.
“When you talk to leaders of the Middle Belt, they always rally round General Useni. When I met General Danjuma, one of the first questions he asked was if I had seen Useni, meaning that everybody loved Baba.”
Also speaking at the condolence visit, the party’s national chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, described the late army general as a great patriot, who loved his country and gave his all to it.
“He was somebody who paid his dues; we lost a great man, who served this country with his all. We hold it as a duty to come and sympathise with the family, the military and the nation, and of course, his constituency, Plateau State.
“His caliber is very rare now. Whenever the nation loses people like that, it’s quite painful. For some of us around them, we know the kind of sacrifices they made on our behalf. We shall continue along that line of uniting the country which was one of the things he stood for,” he said.
More Stories
Obi prays for God to grant Soludo greater heights Chuks Eze The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo to show humility, gratitude and compassion, following what he described as an ‘unfortunate and bitter’ outburst by the governor. Speaking to journalists at the just-concluded Nigeria Guild of Editors meeting at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, Obi congratulated Soludo for securing a second tenure and urged him to appreciate God’s mercies by responding to victory with grace rather than resentment. Obi’s remarks came after Soludo provoked controversy during his certificate-of-return ceremony, where he mocked his critics by calling Obi a ‘frustrated politician without a club’ and accused him of damaging the education system in Anambra. “I feel compelled to respond because if I do not, I will be accused of dodging the question,” Obi said, expressing surprise at Soludo’s remarks. “On an occasion meant to celebrate his certificate of return, instead of thanking Almighty God for granting him a second tenure; a moment to demonstrate love and magnanimity, he chose to show bitterness and resentment. It was deeply unfortunate.” Obi clarified his involvement in the recent Anambra election, saying, “I only attended three public events with the Labour Party candidate, strictly where I was invited. At none of these events did I mention anyone by name or meet with traditional rulers, market leaders or any other group to discuss candidates. There was nothing I said to warrant controversy or speculation,” he stressed. Reflecting on the Election Day, Obi recounted how he quietly fulfilled his civic duty, conscious of the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. “I witnessed irregularities and disruptions that could have easily escalated into chaos,” he said. “When outsiders attempted to cast votes in our community, I stepped in and urged my people to remain calm and allow them to act peacefully. In that moment, I was reminded that integrity must always take precedence over politics. True leadership is measured, not by the contest for power, but by the courage to uphold fairness, restraint and the dignity of our people, even in the most trying circumstances.” Addressing Soludo’s mocking remarks, he used a vivid metaphor from football to clarify his perspective: “On the day of the election, journalists approached me as if I were on the ballot. I reminded them that I served as governor 13 years ago and have since moved on to a higher level in national politics. In football terms, if gubernatorial candidates are in the first division, I am in the Champions League. I ran for Vice President in 2019 and for President in 2023, winning 11 states and Abuja. I play well at that level, and my record speaks for itself.” He also reflected on his age and historic achievements in Anambra State. “In both the old and new Anambra, only Jim Nwobodo and I became governors in our 40s. I was the first to serve a second tenure. I have no personal issue with Governor Soludo. I pray that God grants him even greater heights, if that will inspire him to show humility, compassion and a genuine concern for the people,” he said. He concluded with an appeal, saying, “We must recognise the mercies God grants us. Leadership is not about resentment or bitterness; it is about service, gratitude, and love for our people.”
Kano: Yusuf assents to Law establishing Gaya Polytechnic
SDP NWC expels suspended national chairman, Gabam, 8 others