SECOND Republic Transport Minister, Alhaji Umaru Dikko died yesterday in a London hospital. Dikko, who died at the age of 78 was said to have suffered three strokes in a row and had been ill before now.
He was a prominent member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, in the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. As member of the kitchen cabinet of that administration, he was regarded as the most powerful minister.
Late Dr. Umaru Dikko signing the condolence register during his condolence visit to the family of the late Alex Ibru, at their Ikoyi residence, on Tuesday.
The October 31, 1993 military coup which ousted Shagari from power, resulted to Dikko’s escape to London having been accused of corrupt practices by the regime of Gen Mohammadu Buhar (rtd).
Efforts to get him back to Nigeria resulted to his kidnapping in London on the alleged orders of Buhari. The arrest of his abductors while he was being shipped to the country in a ‘Diplomatic Crate’ at Stansed Airport in London, resulted to diplomatic row between Nigeria and Britain.
Few mourners at his Kaduna home. At his Kaduna home on number 12 Constitution Road, few people gathered to mourn him at the time Vanguard visited.
A canopy was being erected, and a condolence book was opened around 4pm, but no dignitary had signed at the time our reporter left the house.
His younger brother, Lamido Dikko, did not speak to the media.
The body of Dikko, will arrive Nigeria today. Left to mourn him two wives and 11 Children. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan joined eminent Nigerians to mourn the demise of the politician, who meant different things to different people.
Advocate of stronger political parties — Jonathan
Jonathan, who condoled the family said he received the news with sadness. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said that: “Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s life-long advocacy for stronger political parties, greater discipline within political parties and the supremacy of political parties have assured him of a place in the annals of Nigeria’s political development.”
“The President extends sincere commiserations to the family, friends and political associates of the former Minister of Transport during the Second Republic who also played a leading role in the National Party of Nigeria which controlled the Federal Government in that dispensation. In mourning the renowned political leader who, in spite of advanced age, continued to actively contribute to the nurturing and strengthening of democracy in Nigeria until the end of his life.
Also, Vice President Namadi Sambo noted that the north and Nigeria as a whole have lost one of the most dogged politicians in the country.
Dikko a statesman par excellence — Mark
Senate President, Senator David Mark described the late Dikko as a political strategist who contributed to the political evolution of Nigeria. Mark in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh said that the nation had lost an elder statesman whose experience would have been handy now.
He noted that Dikko was a great political leader in his own right and would be remembered for his meritorious services to the nation.
The media gave a wrong impression of him —Gowon
A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) said that the media gave a wrong impression of the man, once regarded as the de-factor president, during the regime of Shagari.
Gowon who spoke in Kaduna said: “I have known him in our school days in the 1950s. He was part of the Zaria Boys Association. I was the Chairman and he was my deputy. So you can see how long we have known each other, and we have interrelated ever since.
“And I can assure, he had been a very good person. He was a very effective Minister. It was not his character to be what newspapers made him to be. And I am sorry for him for that. I am also very sorry for what happened to him when he was to be forcibly returned to Nigeria from London, but thank God that that exercises was foiled, and he returned to retain his position.
“His death is a great loss to the country no matter what anyone will say, he has been a good man from the beginning. The statement credited to him was unfortunate because he was caring person, and this I know throughout my life.’’
‘’In 1983, during a nationwide scarcity of basic food items and drought that caused famine in some northern states, Dikko became very infamous when newspapers quoted him as saying that until he saw people feeding from the dust bins he did not believe any Nigerian was hungry. Again, Dikko was accused of underhand dealings in the then Import License saga that permitted businessman to import essential commodities at a waiver.”
He was an advocate of rule of law — Atiku
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described the late Dikko as a “fierce opponent of unconstitutional seizure of power.” Atiku also said Dikko was a courageous advocate of rule of law, constitutionality and democracy. In a statement by his media office, Atiku said despite the public hostility to Dikko, the man had other virtues that Nigerians did not seem to appreciate.
He recalled that Dikko was the loudest critic of military rule, a role which he said singled him out for special punishment.
The former Vice President said, although Dikko had his own shortcomings like every other person, he was a passionate democrat, who vigorously opposed the take-over of government through unconstitutional means.
NSGF mourns Dikko
Similarly, the Northern States Governors Forum,NSGF, described his exit as a further depletion of the ranks of Northern leaders. The Chairman of NSGF, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, said in a statement that Dikko was an experienced politician who will be dearly missed by all..
He said: “This is indeed another sad episode to the already challenging times Nigeria is passing through as a country. The death of Umaru Dikko and a few prominent Nigerians in less than two months is a reminder that the present generation of Nigerians must grow up mentally, morally with collective objective towards a common developmental destination within the confines of appropriate leadership tenets.”
Former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said “I have known Umaru Dikko since 1947, he was one year behind me in school. He was an absolute gentleman and may his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasorant said though a controversial man, he lived a good life. “That is the end of an era. He was a controversial figure and he lived a good life. He will missed by many, may his soul rest in perfect peace.’’
Northern delegates react
Spokesperson of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “Dikko was one of the leading lights of NPN in the Second Republic and history has documented his roles. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Also speaking, the Northern Delegates Forum, NDF, through its Spokesperson, Mr. Anthony Sani said: “The Northern Delegates Forum, NDF, has received with heavy heart the news about the death of Alhaji Umaru Dikko, who was one of the moving force of the ruling party during the Second Republic. Alhaji Dikko was a man who consciously directed efforts to make his desires for the nation possible”
“That is why even though many Nigerians would miss this statesman, and as painful as the death may be to many of us, this loss may not change places among those who did not share his views on issues of national importance. May God provide the fortitude to endure this irreparable loss precisely because death is often a inevitable and would come when it will come.’”
Tukur, Yakassai mourn
Immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur said, “ his death is a national calamity because Dikko dedicated his life to the nation and at a stage in his life,was a voice of the voiceless and protector of the interest of the downtrodden in the society. His death has created a big vacuum in the political history of Nigeria. The younger generation of Nigeria will miss his wise counsel and consistent approach to political problems of the country.”
Also speaking Tanko Yankassai, who served with Dikko in Shagari’s cabinet said: “He was one of the most misunderstood Nigerians. Many people believed that Umaru Dikko made so much money during the Second Republic, unfortunately on the eve of the coup he had to be accommodated and sustained by a friend because he had no money to sustain himself.
Hard working as I mentioned earlier, it was in that capacity when he was living at the mercy of his friend that he enrolled for a degree programme and he completed it.”
“The younger politicians will miss Umaru Dikko’s doggedness, persistence and commitment to the nation. I will miss his friendship, although I was a friend to his elder brother, we became closer. I will miss his ability to express his views clearly and his interest in the nation, He believed that Nigeria will continue to exist and that the future of Nigeria should be better.”
