Our Reporter
Speaking during a TVC media coverage from 9:58, Dele Alake revealed the dramatic events that unfolded as they worked with military generals to reverse the election annulment. The minister explained that some generals had approached them about taking action on Abiola’s behalf while the presumed president-elect was in temporary exile in London.
The minister described how the conspirators scheduled a final meeting for Monday night to finalize their plans. However, on the Saturday before the crucial meeting, his colleague Segun Babatope began having second thoughts about their involvement in the military plot. “A final meeting before the push was slated for Monday night, and this was a Saturday night. So, Segun and I left. He was driving on the Third Mainland Bridge. He started shaking. He couldn’t drive again. He parked. His legs were shaking on the pedals because he kept saying, ‘I’m a journalist. I’ve never plotted a coup in my life. I don’t want to be involved in this coup,” Alake recalled.
After calming his nervous colleague, Alake took over the driving. Babatope then made an unusual request that revealed how seriously they viewed their situation.
“He said we should drive straight to Deeper Life Church in Gbagada because that was where he attended. So, we drove straight to Deeper Life. We asked the Deeper Life pastors to pray for us because of what we were getting ourselves into, planning a coup with soldiers and all that,” the minister explained.
Following their prayer session, the two men sought advice from Dr. Olatunji Dare, a respected intellectual. Dare’s response was swift and clear about the dangers they faced. “And then we drove straight after that to Dr. Dare’s house, and Dr. Olatunji Dare told us, ‘Look, boys, you have to get out of the country fast, fast. If you attend that Monday meeting, you are going for the guillotine,” Alake quoted.
He recounted how they approached Dr. Doyin Abiola to explain the situation, and she agreed that they needed to leave the country immediately. Unfortunately, his visa had expired the month before the Saturday night incident, making it impossible for them to attend the final coup meeting scheduled for Monday.
According to him, Dr. Abiola performed what he described as a wonderful and milestone achievement by securing him a British visa on Sunday night at a private residence. He left Nigeria that same night, with both he and Dr. Abiola departing to meet Chief Abiola in London.
