Coming to terms with obasanjo’s machinations

It was an open secret that Obasanjo wanted to transfer political power to the south-south political zone after the completion of his tenure. The game plan, however, ran into a snag because of the expedient power shift arrangement agreed upon by the PDP leaders. Any deviation, from that arrangement, he feared, could have acrimoniously divided […]

It was an open secret that Obasanjo wanted to transfer political power to the south-south political zone after the completion of his tenure. The game plan, however, ran into a snag because of the expedient power shift arrangement agreed upon by the PDP leaders. Any deviation, from that arrangement, he feared, could have acrimoniously divided the PDP and probably destroyed the national strength of the party.

His original choice for President was former Rivers State Governor, Chief Peter Odili who was eventually blackmailed, using the EFCC to frustrate his presidential ambition. Therefore, former Katsina State Governor, Umaru Yar’adua eventually emerged the “Mr. Clean.”  Obasanjo was looking for who to succeed him. But Obasanjo concealed more than he was revealing. Yar’adua’s widely perceived weak constitution because of a kidney problem gave Obasanjo the much-needed opportunity to accelerate power shift to the south-south.

According to his mischief theory, a sick Yar’adua would not be able to complete his tenure because of the health crisis facing him. The worst case scenario was that Yar’adua might die in office or be forced to resign, thereby paving the ground  for his south-south Vice President to take over as provided by section 144 and 145 of the 1999 constitution.

With this scenario, power could shift to the south-south without controversy because the northerners would be forced to abide by the constitution or risk the disintegration of Nigeria or the return of the military to disrupt our democratic dispensation. Obasanjo’s calculation was that Yar’adua’s death or resignation due to ill health would fasten political power to the south-south rather than the zoning formula. Most discerning Nigerians believe Obasanjo had ulterior motives for foisting Yar’adua on Nigerians, even when the man could have  been contented to retire quietly to take care of his health after his eight year tenure as the former governor of Katsina State.

In December 2005, the same Obasanjo organized the Enugu conference of southern politicians where speaker after speaker castigated the north for enslaving their region. But privately, Obasanjo wanted to use the conference to remind the south that the only guarantee for the political zone to retain power was to support his ill-fated third term agenda. Former Finance Minister and Presidential aspirant, Chief Olu Falae, was one of those who smelt a rat. He said if the Enugu conference was being held with another undisclosed agenda, the objectives of the conference could be defeated. And in no time, the dark motives came out of the woodwork; the tenure extension plan of Obasanjo unfolded as some of the main speakers at the conference such as Bode George started campaigning to give Obasanjo a third term in office through an illegal constitutional amendment. The rest is now history.

With this background, Nigerians wouldn’t put it beyond Obasanjo to do anything to achieve private motives. Nigerians are now at each other’s throats threatening the unity of the country if power goes in one direction or the other if Yar’adua resigns or dies in office (God forbid). Former President Obasanjo hijacked the PDP and was taking dictatorial decisions with grave future implications for Nigeria.

He probably underestimated the extent of tension Yar’adua’s death or resignation could generate. Following the constitution to resolve the succession issue is a common sense argument. Does Obasanjo have conscience at all? Although he once declared that nothing embarrasses him, he cannot escape the judgement of history and posterity. “Bad people, according to Richard Templar, the famous author of “The Rules of Life”, “don’t feel guilty because they are too busy being bad.” But Obasanjo cannot escape the consequences of his own machinations.  

Alao wrote in from No. 15B, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Ilorin, Kwara State