June 12 was actualized with the sweat and blood of many Nigerians. Some were killed in the struggle, many were injured and some heroes were jailed. Some of the people that survived the prison and came back to enjoy the dividends of their sweat was the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba. He had an interview with the BBC immediately after his release in 1994 and below are excerpts, enjoy.
What were the conditions like in jail?
It was the most terrifying and most terrible. I think the authority set out to deliberately inflict mental and psychological torture on me.
Why? What did you do?
They kept us particularly myself, alone, incommunicado for five days in a prison which is very dirty and without adequate ventilation and a cell infected with mosquitoes and bed bugs and I was made to sleep on a desk for about 6 days
Were you being targeted?
I was, and we were asked about the National Democratic Alliance (NADECO) that we formed.
So what do you intend to do now?
I need to rest because for the whole of the seven days I was not allowed to take my bath. There was no bathroom but the policemen who were put in charge were very friendly; they treated me with all courtesy.
Ok, what are you going to do now? Are you going to give up?
I am now more determined with stronger will power to continue the struggle. And having legitimate means of restoring democracy in Nigeria.
Do you have any plans of involving yourself in the politics of Nigeria?
Well, I will wish them good luck and pray for them. I will pray for the survival of Nigeria and the survival of all of us.
Are you angry with the present state of your country?
(Laughs) If Nelson Mandela can be incarcerated for 27 years, I don’t think anybody can complain in a developing country like ours.
