Chris Alli was Army Chief under Abacha but his regard for June 12 Struggles was 2nd to none - Coalition of Pro - Democracy Groups

 Chris Alli was Army Chief under Abacha but his regard for June 12 Struggles was 2nd to none - Coalition of Pro - Democracy Groups

Oluwatoyin Mathnuel 

Born December 1944, as a full ranked Khakhi man, he retired from Nigerian Army as Major General.

He served as Chief of Army Staff, from 1993 to 1994, under General Sani Abacha's regime and was military Governor of Plateau State, from August 1985 to 1986, during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Many years later, he was appointed Interim Administrator of Plateau State by former President Obasanjo's Government during a 2004 crisis in the State following ethno - religious killing in Shendam, Yelwa Local Government.

On retirement from military, he wrote a book titled, 'The Federal Republic of Nigerian Army: The Siege of a Nation'.

While writing about his book, General Alli noted, "This book is not an indictment of the military of which I was a part. It is my perception of the conduct of my generation and the multifarious forces at work amongst and about them. It is not a verdict on society; rather it is an articulation of the ecstasy, the fears, the constrictions a nation in turmoil, a nation pulling itself apart."

What an Orator? No wonder, he was appointed member, Editorial Board of Guardian Newspaper, the position he help till death

He served under 2 Army Generals, Babangida, Abacha and 1 retired Army General, Obasanjo and yet, he did not believe the military System of Government was best for Nigeria as he espoused in his lifetime and the reason why he did his best, at risk of his job, as Chief of Army Staff, in supporting Civil Societies' collective Struggles for the actualisatuon of June 12, 1993 Presidential election won by late President MKO Abiola, GCFR, but was annulled by the former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, result of which was later acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in 2018, which had since made June 12, Democracy Day.

We are all writing History of ourselves, negative or positive, while we are still alive.

May the soul of this Hero of Democracy rest in peace. Adieu, The People's General!

Comrade Awa Bamiji

National Coordinator

Coalition of Pro - Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria