Two pieces of “rejection” just made the rounds, from the corridors of the Ebora Owu in his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta lair.
The first was Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, who after a courtesy call at OOPL, claimed former President Olusegun Obasanjo had endorsed Igbo presidency, because of Obasanjo’s flattering comment on the Ndigbo famed industry and entrepreneurial savvy. Obasanjo, through his spokesperson, poured cold water on that claim.
Ohauabunwa’s foray to OOPL was understandable. The former local Big Pharm boss was part of organized Business Nigeria that pushed for Obasanjo’s third term bid of 2006, though the most prominent faces of that bloc were Ndi Okereke-Onyuike (then czarina at the Nigerian Stock Exchange) and Festus Odimegwu (then boss at Nigerian Breweries Plc, who fell out with the NB board on account of that campaign).
They wanted Obasanjo to subvert the two-term limit in the 1999 Constitution, to continue with his “reforms”, whatever that meant. Might Ohuabunwa then be hoping for some pay-back endorsement?
Then, a section of the media jumped on the cold shoulder reportedly given Femi Ojudu, factotum to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and apparent apostle-in-chief of Prof. Osinbajo’s rumoured presidential dreams. Ojudu was reported to have carried the Osinbajo gospel-to-run for the Ebora Owu’s blessings and possible endorsement.
But Obasanjo not only cold-shouldered Ojudu and his delegation, he balked at seeing them after keeping them waiting for a while. He also reportedly dismissed Ojudu as a “rabble rouser” notorious for “garrulous and unstable incursions into sensitive political matters.”
Aside,he reportedly tongue-lashed the Vice President for sending a proxy to plead his case, when he should be man enough to declare his intentions, not hiding behind a funny finger. That alleged rebuke got lobbies opposed to Osinbajo’s rumoured presidential push wild and excited.
But before folks get ahead of themselves, how much exactly is Obasanjo’s endorsement worth, beyond perpetually putting the Ebora Owu himself in front of the klieg lights?
In 2019, Bishop David Oyedepo, Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah and Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, among others gathered at this same OOPL to plead former Vice President Abubakar Atiku’s case. That was the high season of Obasanjo’s “third force”, a beautiful electioneering mirage if ever there was one. The Ebora even claimed to have “forgiven” Atiku and endorsed his candidacy. Still, what happened to that bid?
The fact is outside the formal structure of the Presidency or military head of state, Obasanjo hardly boasts any community value. Yeah, the Nigerian media, always on the lookout for sensation and titillation, would pour indecent attention on OOPL visits. But beyond that, it’s nothing beyond a shiny mirage!
Beyond endorsement-crunching visitors however, Baba has too many demons swirling in him, concerning his controversial presidency, which made all the right sound bytes but delivered little on actual stuff. Those visits fit in pat with the OOPL as personal worship shrine, which glitter Obasanjo somewhat hopes would launder and blot out his political-economic dirt and rot.
So, those allegedly “rejected” should take heart. Baba’s support is worth near-nothing in real terms.