National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has said that the former military dictator, Sani Abacha, forced him and publisher, Dele Momodu, into exile.
Tinubu revealed this in a statement on Friday in commemoration of Mr Momodu’s 60th birthday on Saturday, May 16.
“Bashorun Dele Momodu, ace journalist, prolific writer and author, media entrepreneur, politician and socialite, has earned his innumerable stripes. I congratulate and rejoice with him on attaining 60, Saturday, May 16, 2020,” Tinubu wrote.
“Momodu has done remarkably well for the journalism profession and for his country. He fought relentlessly for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria and for the promotion of good governance and social justice.
“While traversing the media landscape and forging what was to become an exciting and illustrious career, culminating in the founding of the Ovation Media Group, Momodu was also actively involved in pro-democracy activities.
“For that, he was forced on exile by the late Abacha military junta, like yours sincerely, during which time both of us, along with some other progressives, continued the struggle for the revalidation of the annulled June 12 election.”
The APC leader recalled Momodu’s one-time shot at the Presidency, stating that his “regular, incisive and helpful interventions” proved to be of use “in social and governance issues”.
“I salute his courage, tenacity, resilience, sagacity and commitment to worthy causes and loyalty to friendship,” he added.
“On this milestone age, I join the family, friends and associates of our highly-admired Bob Dee in wishing him a most fulfilling birthday even at this moment that demands of all of us preventive and physical distancing measures in the wake of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
“May God Almighty grant Momodu many more years, robust health and strength to continue to advance the cause of journalism, democracy and good governance as he has been doing over the years.”
