Obasanjo’s Endorsement Of Buhari Is Mischievous

Written by:   Enyioko Chibuike Leonard

Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, former military and civilian head of state of Nigeria, has a penchant for mischief. His appearance, the way he walks and his facial physiognomy never ceases to amuse.

His position on contemporary issues are weird and, more often than not, out rightly naughty.

But behind the façade of ridiculous innocence that Obasanjo’s personality portrays is deep rooted deceit and selfish consideration that has been a key factor to his success in national political stage.

Obasanjo has always worn the garb of the proverbial ugly duckling that grew into a beautiful swan overnight. He has always benefited from his crafty ways.

I remember with disdain and trepidation how Obasanjo suggested the use of African juju for the war against Apartheid South Africa, when he was military head of state of Nigeria. Obasanjo is fond of making weird suggestions to national issues.

His ignominious suggestion elicited uproar across the globe. His obliteration of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s abode, which rendered so many hundreds of thousands
homeless, and forceful seizure of the property by Obasanjo’s government is still one of the most scandalous cases of military dictatorship.

As a civilian and democratically elected president of Nigeria, his sacking of Odi, a community in Rivers State, has continued to reverberate.

His frosty relationship with the National Assembly and State Governors, and unwarranted declaration of state of emergency in some states, are still very fresh in our memory.

The list of Obasanjo’s atrocities as a democratically elected president,
especially his inordinate ambition for a third term, is incessant.

Obasanjo’s surname is controversy while his middle name is confusion.

Therefore, I was not surprised when I heard of the endorsement of Buhari’s presidential candidature by Obasanjo in faraway Kenya.

Of course, events of the past have clearly shown that Obasanjo does not
want Jonathan to succeed in his re- election bid.

He has taken Jonathan to the cleaners and made inflammatory statements in the recent past, for the purpose of discrediting him and throwing spanners
in the political works of the President.

On different occasions, Obasanjo has made jape of the President and his administration.

The only two reasons given by Obasanjo for endorsing Buhari is that he will fight Boko Haram insurgency and Corruption in Nigeria.

If that is the case, now that Boko Haram insurgents are being rounded up by
Nigerian troops in collaboration with neighbouring African countries, is the insurgency still a campaign point?

Nevertheless, fighting insurgency would not have been a major issue to the Jonathan administration but the approach is what matters to a pure democratic President.

President Jonathan, with his civilian background would not apply the dictatorial system that is reminiscent with the sacking of Odi and bloodshed in Zaki Biam, all executed by Obasanjo with military precision.

Jonathan is a teacher by profession and does not have the training that impulsively drives him to overrun, kill and vanquish.

With the situation of the country, when Boko Haram insurgency started
escalating, it would have been a tactical error if Jonathan’s government had declared a full-fledged war on the insurgents.

Jonathan would have fallen direct into the snare of Obasanjo and his cohorts.
And Nigeria would have been in major crisis today.

The approach of President Jonathan’s led government to our national security issues has been well measured, thoughtfully considered and responsible.

A Quixotic approach as envisioned by Obasanjo and his band would have
spewed crisis of unimaginable proportions.

The other reason given by Obasanjo for endorsing Buhari is the ability to fight corruption.

I am so baffled at this premise. If I may ask, what does Obasanjo know or have to say about corruption? Up till today, Nigerians are still asking about the transparency of the privatization exercise under Obasanjo.

How one Jimoh Ibrahim, strongly suspected to be Obasanjo’s proxy, bought up almost everything with Obasanjo superintending. Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Obasanjo’s hunting dog, did not bat an eye lid.

They were only efficient when a State Governor, Legislator or Minister
disobeys Obasanjo or brandishes words with the self-styled Nigerian political prefect and monitor.

 Obasanjo may be hallucinating about corruption thinking Nigerian’s have forgotten the several Billions of Naira salted away in the power sector white Elephant projects of his administration.

If Obasanjo is sincere to himself and consistent in his political postulation, except if senile dementia is setting in, he would not have endorsed a Presidential candidate presented and sponsored by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Over Lord of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar, the two he has consistently and unequivocally labelled as being exceptionally corrupt and disreputable.

Since when did Obasanjo make up with RotimiAmaechi?

When you talk about fighting corruption is tantamount to going to equity and you must go with clean hands.

All the money spent on lavish campaign of Buhari, where is it coming from?

Will Buhari be able to bring Tinubu, Amaechi, Atiku and even Obasanjo, and the other big cows to book, if he is elected?

In as much as we consider corruption the bane of developing countries, it should not be used as a political gimmick to play on our sentiments for an avowed dictator, religious and ethnic irredentist to be voted into power.

We are tired of Obasanjo’s meddlesome and impish attitude in our national political life.

His endorsement of Buhari is Ahitophelic and should be consigned to the trash can.

Nigerian electorate should be allowed to use their ballot because it is stronger than the bullet.

This Headmaster and Pupil relationship Obasanjo wants to have with Nigerians must be stopped.

If Obasanjo has monopoly of wisdom let him exercise it at Ota Farm, Temperance Hotel and his immediate and extended family.