By Osa Director
But Umar was different.
Today, there is no record of his acquiring houses across the country despite being the Chief Executive of FHA. He doesn’t own any property belonging to FHA, not even in Lagos and Abuja(the Federal Capital Territory, FCT).
Indeed, when he got bored with the routines of a soldier holding political office he approached the military high command and tendered his resignation without media fuss after three years as a military governor.
He proceeded to obtain a Master’s degree in Political Science from the prestigious Harvard University, in the U S.A.
On his return from the United States of America, he was posted to head the Armoured Corp school, in Bauchi State. Although, he was a professional soldier, at heart and in principles, he was a true democrat.
His uncompromising belief in promoting the liberties, freedom and dignity of his fellow citizens was clearly made manifest during the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was widely acclaimed to have been won by Chief M.K.O Abiola.
On hearing about the annulment of June 12 presidential election, he drove from his Bauchi base to Abuja.
IBB was already surrounded by the military Hawks who were unwilling to surrender power to civilians. He sought audience with the benevolent military dictator.
Umar pointedly told his boss to complete the announcement of the presidential election and handover to the winner, Chief Abiola.
Umar reportedly told IBB that it would be a travesty of justice to deny Abiola of his victory.
Indeed, it will amount to a gross disservice to the nation by the military if the annulment is sustained.
He reiterated that he would not want to be counted as a usurper of democracy, therefore, he threatened to resign his commission if the military refused to handover power to Abiola, the winner of the election.
And he did. How brave, and a rare display of courage and patriotism! Thereafter, he declared himself a June 12 fundamentalist!
He joined forces with the like of Balarabe Musa and Yohanna Madaki to form Movement for Unity and Progress, MUP. They were the northern wing of NADECO (National Democratic Coalition).
He never held back in the battle to restore democracy, suffering harassment, intimidation and loss of income in the process.
Since the birthing of civilian rule on 29th May, 1999, he has remained consistent in his advocacy for good governance.
He has never shied away from offering suggestions, at times biting criticisms against the successive civilian regime from 1999 till date.
As Umar celebrates his 75th birthday, he has lived a notable life worthy of celebration. Unfortunately, Nigerians only celebrate the dead. No one is a hero in Nigeria until he or she is dead.
But Nigerians must realise that nothing will change until we learn to celebrate the living who are progressive in their thoughts and actions, and encourage them to make more positive impact.
Hence, I doff my hat for retired Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, a veritable soldier of democracy.
• Director, a journalist and lawyer, writes via reached@DirectorOsa on Twitter (now X).