Re: The Obasanjo, Jonathan letters

However, before that week came Jonathan’s long anticipated reply to the ‘letter bomb’ from the Ota farmer. I could not resist the urge to comment on the reply, so instead of devoting the column to the reactions to my piece on Obasanjo’s letter as I had planned, I decided to comment on Jonathan’s reply to […]

However, before that week came Jonathan’s long anticipated reply to the ‘letter bomb’ from the Ota farmer. I could not resist the urge to comment on the reply, so instead of devoting the column to the reactions to my piece on Obasanjo’s letter as I had planned, I decided to comment on Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo. The latter again elicited several reactions.
Given that the letters from the former and current president have continued to generate interest, I decided to devote today’s column to a selection of the responses to the two articles. I have tried my best to select them to reflect the diversity of opinions received.
‘Obasanjo vs. Jonathan: Cockcrow at Dawn’ (Daily Trust, December 19, 2013)
‘Dr. Adibe your advice to GEJ and his handlers came too late. Now the presidency must pay the price for condoning sycophancy and indolence. His team, which consists mainly of incompetent rogues and experts in corruption, cannot help him politically. He missed the game from the start. After all is the President sober enough to lead this country? I always respect your position on issues this one inclusive, but it`s too late to cry when the head is off. I have my doubts if the man could manage Mrs President properly, some even alleged she manages him and the country, the responsibility seems too much for this woman. That is why he failed in all the five areas mentioned by Obasanjo. But I agree with you the man must submit his representation to clear himself at least of the most damaging charges; 1000 on the watch list and the training of snipers. We have to wait for the President`s personal response be for taking side.’
Equator – online comment on Daily Trust’s website’
‘Adibe, OBJ cannot get relevance from Nigerians through destroying GEJ. Nigerians are wiser than that.
Mike Agwam, Gyang, text message’
‘Sir, congratulations on your piece, ‘Obasanjo vs Jonathan: Cockcrow at Dawn”. What was an otherwise well written article was marred by your repeated use of the expression, “my personal opinion”. Sir, any opinion you express is personal and nobody else’s. Use of English 101.
Ibrahim Umar, Abuja, text message.’
‘Dear Adibe. You need to be reminded that Nigeria is too big for a single person to pull down; many have attempted and failed in the past. Don’t advice GEJ along that line please. Abi? No name, text message: 08027802505’.
‘Sadly your analysis failed to consider whether those allegations raised against the President might be true. -No name, text message, 08091527979’.
‘OBJ vs Jonathan, DT, 19.12.13. Please read Tell magazine, Number 17 of 17.4.93 for what OBJ said to IBB regime. Best. No name, text message: 080660121414’.
‘My dear Dr Adibe, I disagree with your paragraph 4. Nigeria has passed that stage where one man will hold us to ransom. That is your imagination.
Bello, text message’.
‘Sir, good day. I enjoyed your column and if the presidency is wise enough, today’s preaching is for them. And they are in a better position to answer your brilliant question at your last paragraph. Young reader, Mustapha Bichi, text message’.
‘Mr Adibe, you also towed the unfortunate route of dissecting the messenger rather than the message. GEJ should respond to OBJ and make amends where necessary. Compliments of the season. -Abubakar Ali. Text message.’
‘OBJ is a living encyclopaedia on Naija matters today. Truly he knows what most citizens don’t know about the country, not to talk of the incompetence and cluelessness of our leader. He has done the damage. Let’s hope it ends there.
No name, text message: 08072558613’
‘Mr Jideofor, do you drink or take hard drugs because what you wrote should come from a drunkard. Can’t you see the incompetence of Jonathan?
No name, text message: 08077875165’.
‘Another enlightening and refreshing piece from Adibe. Your analysis is very straight and unbiased. Only OBJ and the presidency know what has transpired between them. Come 2015, GEJ shall run and win! May God continue to give our leaders wisdom.
-Dr Itodo, Kaduna, text message’.
‘Thanks Jideofor for today’s Thursday column. You mentioned something I have always believed in: that GEJ’s desperation to run is as a result of the fear of what awaits him out of power, not because he loves power. Secondly, it is unfortunate that he surrounds himself with people who are visionless and cannot advance convincing rebuttals. Good day, brother.-Ibrahim Biu, text message’.
Re: Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo: Too little, too late? (December 26, 2013)
‘Your 3rd paragraph in today’s piece started on the note one expected of you: sitting on both sides of the fence. However, owing perhaps to readers criticism of this favorite stance of yours, you went on from the next to the last paragraph to assuage whatever fears one may have  on the said stance. To me, your piece for once has signaled a change in your writing attitude. It is always better to take a side while giving due consideration to the other side. Your piece showed that indeed without question, the reply was a little too late and too little to boot. The last sentence capped everything. Thanks for your being one of those who make Daily Trust’s back page a must read. -Sule Garba, email:’
‘Jideofor, your analysis of the crisis between Jonathan and Obasanjo is very educating. But Jideofor I have my doubts. You sound an Obasanjo man, isn’t it?
Nurudeen, Yola, Adamawa State’ (text message)
‘I agree with you that Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo’s missive was a perfunctory one. The problem is that Jonathan is occupying a glass edifice whereas the Obasanjos live in a prefabricated castle. Do you get the drift? It is another bourgeois war in which they want the oppressed to take sides in order to avoid a class war. Thanks.
-Amos Ejimonye, text message’
‘Please advice Saint Obasanjo to accept the challenge of Al Mustapha since the President has failed to respond appropriately.
-Samson M Arung, text message’
‘Re: Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo: Too little, too late? Sir, you have aptly captured Mr President’s reply. I strongly believe that Nigerians were not well furnished with details they deserve. Keep it up and compliments of the season.
Usman M Haske text message’.
‘I admire Dr Jonathan’s humility but the guy is simply not equipped for the tasks fate placed on his shoulders. Advocates of “zoning” beware!
No name, text message 08035908216
‘Mr J Adibe, your column, “Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo: Too Little, Too Late?” is the best I have read in recent time. I also agree with you that most of the things mentioned in both letters are common knowledge. The problem is what they have tried to do about it.
-Dalhatu Mohammed, text message.’
‘Hej, I totally disagree with you. GEJ’s letter came at the perfect time’
No name, text message – 08187097155’.
‘Re: “Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo: Too little, too late?” Well, all the same, Jideofor Adibe’s piece appears to me more as a piece on Literary Appreciation than a “critical” political analysis that it ought to be. My opinion on the letter and the reply is that it is yet another God’s Mercy on Nigeria’s Nation-State because if all Obasanjo exposed is true, then the letter has the potential of forcing  GEJ to at least change, postpone or modify (his ways). -Ahmad Tijani, U/Juma, Suleja. Text message.’
‘Re “Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo: too little too late?”
Yes, Jonathan’s reply is too late. First is the refusal to respond to earlier letters (by Obasanjo) and responding to this only after it was leaked and even then some two weeks after. In addition is the comparative approach adopted plus giving too much prominence to the preamble rather than the substance on the pretence of demands of office and lack of time. Nigerians are more interested in happenings today rather than history and wishful promises for the future. Almost every Nigerian is aware of Obasanjo’s performance or lack of it during his era. What people want to hear is debunking these allegations with facts and figures. Is there no corruption in government? Is the fight against corruption not selective and vindictive? Is there no nepotism? Is the country not divided on ethnic and religious lines?  (There is a) failure to adequately address these. No name, text message, 08033850358’.
‘Nice piece. Also check the phrase, “reason why”. It is as guilty as “the reason is because”. It suffices to say, “the reason I reply…” or “Why I reply is”.
Mohammed Adamu. Text message
‘If you are a true Ibo and you know a little of politics as you claim, you won’t be writing rubbish against President Jonathan. To those who claim they own Nigeria, no problem.’ Text message, no name: 08174110122.’