Re: The evolution of Yemi Osinbajo

Dr Jideofor Adibe in the above-mentioned column on Thursday 23 February 2017 touched on burning issues pertaining to federal character, militancy in the Niger Delta and delegation of responsibility in leadership. This type of exciting discourse is what makes me to book my copy of Daily Trust with my vendor every day. I concur with […]

Dr Jideofor Adibe in the above-mentioned column on Thursday 23 February 2017 touched on burning issues pertaining to federal character, militancy in the Niger Delta and delegation of responsibility in leadership. This type of exciting discourse is what makes me to book my copy of Daily Trust with my vendor every day.

I concur with the writer that Prof Osinbajo has demonstrated competence as the acting President. Furthermore, I doff my hat for Dr. Adibe for his erudition and his ability to explain complex social science issues by using theories. However, I have some areas of divergence with the columnist on some points raised.  In paragraph two of the piece by the learned columnist he asserted, inter alia, that “every leader has a defining moment – an action for which the leader will be remembered long after he or she has left office.” Typical of Dr Adibe, he pretended to be objective but made a Freudian slip by showing his aversion to the North.

He rightly reminded his readers that Obasanjo’s defining moment was, as a military ruler, handing over power to civilians in 1979. Besides, Dr Adibe observed that “conceding defeat” in the 2016 presidential elections was the defining moment of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

We, young Nigerians, have utmost respect for these leaders. However, as a comparatively older person, and a scholar for that matter, Dr Adibe needs to demonstrate balance, objectivity and fairness in his write ups.

So, out of all the leaders Nigeria has produced since independence in 1960 the Thursday columnist could not identify a “defining moment” in the leaders from the North? Was the First National Development Plan (1962-1968) not a defining moment in the history of Nigeria? Yes it was for Nigeria – not only for the regime of Sir Abubakar the then Prime Minister and head of government. The First National Development Plan led to the construction of infrastructural projects like Kainji Dam which have direct impact on socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.

Secondly, General Yakubu Gowon had his “defining moment” in uniting Nigeria after the bloodletting of 1967-1970. This singular act has few parallels in world history. At the end of the civil war, General Gowon instead of gloating as a commander who crushed a rebellion, made this golden statement: “No Victor, No Vanquished”. He embraced the Biafrans with open arms which is a defining moment in the history of warfare. The question begging for answer from Dr. Adibe is: where has this ever happened in recorded history of warfare?  May be out of selective amnesia, Dr Adibe has forgotten the 3Rs: Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Gowon’s era immediately after the fratricidal guns were silent in 1970. One could add so many achievements like the creation of National Youth Service Corps.

Thirdly, Dr Adibe, you forgot the inspiring “Africa Has Come of Age” speech of Murtala at that time and a host of other actions regarding apartheid and racism in southern Africa.

Let me add that whatever social science theory Dr Adibe would want to apply, he cannot deny that the Amnesty Programme of the late Yar’adua could be classified a defining moment based on his (Adibe’s) definition. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth sir that you devoted a large chunk of your write-up to the Niger Delta issue. You used words like “compassion” and “the need to empathise with weaker parties in any conflict”. Good talk from the ivory tower. Yet, you deliberately forgot that these were what the late Yar’adua’s Amnesty Programme were fundamentally all about.

Dr Adibe, your duty as an intellectual is not to fan the embers of discord and generate needless controversy by being selective in your praise.

Khalifa Musa Muhammad, Kaduna.