Obasanjo’s latest bombshell
I know the antics and antecedents of Chief Obasanjo. In the 1990s, Obasanjo was a critic; he criticized Ibrahim Babangida, earning him the admiration of many Nigerians. In fact Obasanjo was a sort of statesman then. Obasanjo has written books such as Not My Will, My Command, etc. At one time, he nursed the ambition […]
I know the antics and antecedents of Chief Obasanjo. In the 1990s, Obasanjo was a critic; he criticized Ibrahim Babangida, earning him the admiration of many Nigerians. In fact Obasanjo was a sort of statesman then. Obasanjo has written books such as Not My Will, My Command, etc. At one time, he nursed the ambition to become the UN secretary General, an ambition he never realized and, by God’s grace, never will.
When he singlehandedly anointed Yar’adua as the presidential flag-bearer of their party PDP, he was not a democrat at all. But he failed to manipulate Yar’adua. Indeed, Yar’adua hunted the so-called Obasanjo Boys to the extent some fled the country. Obasanjo again joined the critics of Yar’adua, who totally sidelined him. Obasanjo recommended that Yar’adua should resign due to the illness that afflicted him later, and spearheaded the imposition of the doctrine of necessity that ultimately led to the swearing in of then Vice President Jonathan as acting president. He thought he could manipulate Jonathan, now he found out he cannot; hence this open letter.
If I were President Jonathan, i would never ignore Obasanjo. I would read his open letter and implement most of its recommendations. It contains wise counsel. For instance, issues such as corruption, ethnicity, impunity, tenure, how drug barons have taken over PDP and, by extension Nigeria, all are matters of genuine concern to Nigerians, and should occupy the attention of Jonathan. This letter reveals that Jonathan is facing formidable opposition. But if Jonathan thinks he can ignore this and still get away with it, then he needs to re-examine his strategy.
Bishir Dauda, Sabuwar Unguwa Katsina, <[email protected]>;