From service to force: How guns captured Nigeria’s politics (PART II)

However, on one momentous occasion, our ambassador in Rome, Italy, refused to be cowed. Canon J.S. Furlong was a much-loved former schoolteacher. General Yakubu Gowon was one of his students, and he was adored by successive military governments. He was a non-career ambassador. However, he had a drinking problem.

Anyway, during the Buhari/Idiagbon military regime in December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985, which had launched WAI (War Against Indiscipline), the very stern Major-General Tunde Idiagbon was scheduled to stop over in Rome en route to Moscow. The Embassy staff went to great lengths to ensure that Ambassador Darling was not served any alcohol while he was in the V.I.P./Diplomatic lounge. Unfortunately, Idiagbon’s plane was late. In the meantime, the stewards in the V.I.P. Diplomatic lounge finished their shift but forgot to warn their replacement that alcohol was not to be offered to the Nigerian Ambassador.

The new stewards apologised profusely to Ambassador Furlong for not serving him alcohol and offered him any drink of his choice. Consequently, by the time Idiagbon arrived, the Nigerian Ambassador was thoroughly plastered. Drunk. Legless.

When Idiagbon’s plane eventually arrived, Ambassador Furlong could barely stagger to the plane. As the very tall Idiagbon came down the stairs, our ambassador delivered his unsolicited audit report:

“Dogo (tall man), so you are the man that everybody in

Nigeria is afraid of. Me, I am not afraid of you at all.”

Needless to add that that was the end of his diplomatic career.

Also, under General Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, there was total fear of the murderous dictator. He kept the heads of his enemies in a freezer in the presidential palace. Anyway, he became so power drunk that at a Cabinet meeting, he suddenly announced that he had decided to change the name of the country to IDI. However, there was a problem – what would be the nomenclature of the citizens? He asked for suggestions. There was dead silence. However, the Foreign Minister, who had just received a call from Cyprus, had the temerity to suggest that since the citizens of Cyprus are known as Cypriots, similarly, the citizens of IDI should be tagged IDIOTS!! He was immediately escorted out of the meeting – never to be seen again.

On another occasion, Idi Amin delivered the budget on Ugandan television and radio. However, it was the wrong budget. Alas, what he was reading was the budget of the previous year. The Minister of Finance did not dare to correct him.

As for Emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic, he insisted on being sworn in as emperor at an elaborate ceremony. He invited the President of France, Valery Giscard D’Estaing, as his guest of honour. The French ambassador discreetly enquired what would be a suitable present from the President of France. Bokassa promptly disclosed that what he would really like was a medal – the Napoleon Medal in gold. No problem.

When the President of France arrived in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), he had the medal in his hand as he came down the stairs of the plane. However, there was a problem. Emperor Bokassa, who was waiting to receive him, turned up in the military uniform of an emperor. His entire chest was bedecked with all sorts of medals. There was no more room for yet another medal.

Read also: From service to force: How guns captured Nigeria’s politics (PART I)

Without batting an eyelid, Bokassa turned his back to President Valery Giscard d’Estaing and demanded that the medal should be pinned on his back!!

Perhaps I should share with you the video of the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and his Vice-President exchanging blows on a public stage.

As for Somalia, it has not had an election for sixty years. Its last president, Siad Barre, fled to Nigeria in 1991 and died in exile.

The story of Sudan is equally sordid:

On 11 November 2024, Mo Ibrahim, founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, joined Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group, at the Paris Peace Forum, to address Sudan’s escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis. The discussion underscored the urgent need for international intervention and cooperation to halt the violence and alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

During the conversation, both Mo and Comfort Ero emphasised the dire situation facing Sudan, where violence has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. To address this, the speakers urged stronger, coordinated efforts from international bodies like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the African Union (AU).

The Sudan conflict has already resulted in a massive wave of migration, both within Sudan and across its borders, exacerbating instability in neighbouring countries. Mo warned that if the conflict is not contained, it could trigger wider regional unrest, fuelling further displacement and insecurity.

As for DRC (the Democratic Republic of the Congo), it is indeed a gory tale.

An address delivered at the launching of “The Gun Hegemony” Written By Ayo Opadokun on 15th January 2026 at Muson Centre, Lagos.

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