Obasanjo: With or without you democracy continues
Calling a spade, a spade, I am always perturbed by the political rascality often displayed and crafted by the expresident, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who technically shrouded in altruism to deceive the public using the instrumentality of public opinion to massage his bruised ego. Whenever ‘Baba’ suffered ego deflation from his supposed installed candidates or supported party, he would quickly resort to bold-faced effrontery to raise alarm and cry wolf to curry favour by flattering. Indeed, Obasanjo really understood the efficacy of public opinion and he seemed to be eminently using it to fight his imaginary and potential enemies willy-nilly. Anytime I remember President Trump statement calling African “sheet hole” and looking at the dramatic conducts of our leaders and their antics to remain relevant, I always shudder at our naivety in this part of the world.
Obasanjo’s inclination to remotecontrol and exercise overbearing influence on the system made him to pick the weakest presidential and vice-presidential candidates in 2006 PDP primary election. Unfortunately, “Baba” had forgotten that nobody want to be a stooge to anybody.
As a corollary to 2015 presidential elections, it was aptly reported that prior to the swearing of president Muhammadu Buhari, Obasanjo had singlehandedly assembled the-so-called economic experts to draft an economic agenda for PMB to be implemented. PMB collected it and kept it in his archives. Similarly, when the former Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) boss was unceremoniously removed, Obasanjo was said to have pegged down a candidate to be appointed to the post which the PMB tactically declined. It was equally reported that “Baba” had vested interest in the Mambila Hydroelectric project, but PMB refused to patronise and dance to his tune.
Characteristically, Obasanjo started firing salvo to dismantle the apple cart. His ideology is that of demigod which must be worshipped and appeased and if possible consulted from time-to-time like a spirit animal. During his presidency, Obasanjo bestrode Nigeria like a colossus. He called shots with pride irrespective of whose ox is gored. Many PDP chairmen and governors were removed at his beck and call. Court judgement were flagrantly disregarded with impunity. The desperation to have third term which was shot down by the National Assembly under the supervision of Ken Nnamani made Baba to resort to indiscreet “do or die elections” in 2007, which was said to be worst election in the history of Nigeria. If I may ask what legacies does he (Obasanjo) want to leave behind for Nigerians? Is it legacy of selfcentredness or political rascality? It is high time that Nigerians let Obasanjo know that “with or without him democracy continues” as was rightly said by Michelle Obama.
Rotimi S. Bello, Abuja.