In the past one week, former Oyo State governor Rashidi Ladoja’s reflection on ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, and the statement by his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, on rotational presidency showed how embarrassingly limited many Nigerian leaders are. The former VP had made a representation to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review suggesting, among other things, that presidential tenure should be limited to one term rotated among the country’s six informal geopolitical zones. It was a clearly mercantilist approach to solving the national question. Perhaps he still hopes that in 2027 he could take the presidency without the corresponding drawback of his age and the fear that should he desire a second term, it would gall and repulse the electorate. Like Chief Obasanjo who seldom gave deep thought to his actions, Alhaji Atiku is probably the most intransigent of politicians, if not also the most excessive and self-absorbed.
Senator Ladoja is a perceptive and tenacious politician, an enigmatic leader who has accomplished so much in politics and in Ibadan where he is top on the line to the revered traditional throne. Days ago, on a radio programme, he gave insight into the direct role Chief Obasanjo played in how he was impeached as Oyo governor in January 2006 until his reinstatement some 11 months later after grueling litigations. It was not the first time he spoke about the former president’s perverse role in the impeachment. In 2019, when he marked his 75th birthday, he disclosed to the media that his opposition to Chief Obasanjo’s third term agenda triggered the said impeachment. “You just came out of prison and had no money,” he said he told the former president. “And with all those minuses, God said you would be the president for eight years; let God be the one who would decide the next president. He said ‘thank you very much, I appreciate it.’ He knew I told him the truth and I was convinced I told him the truth. At the end of it, he also said he didn’t even ask for a third term, which is not true. He did. So when I got home in the evening, the then Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, called and asked what I came to Ota to discuss with Obasanjo. I said I discussed the third term agenda with him. He said ‘Oh God, you have pinched Baba on his sore, Baba said he would turn you to a nobody.’ I said ‘if God allows him’.”
Last week’s interview on radio was no less scathing. Here is Sen. Ladoja reminiscing about the impeachment moves against him in 2005: “You see, some people said, it was Alao-Akala, it was Adedibu. No, it was not any of them. It was Obasanjo. It was during the time of Ileya [Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir]. We went to see Baba Obasanjo. I think it was on a Friday or Saturday that we went to see him in Abeokuta. I was there with Oyinlola, Daniel and Agagu. We did not call Fayose, because we knew that Fayose was Baba’s son. So they knelt down and I knelt down with them. They were begging him, ‘Baba, please, let Ladoja be’. Baba then said ‘Rashidi, go and resign!’ I said ‘No, I won’t resign!’ He said, ‘if you don’t resign, you would be removed’. I said ‘No, they cannot do it.’ He said ‘why’”. I said ‘because you cannot get two-thirds.’ He said ‘two-thirds my foot’ and then he left the place in fury. (Gbenga) Daniel ran after him.”
Still in doubt as to Chief Obasanjo’s sanctimoniousness? Sen Ladoja continued: “While we were reflecting on what we were going to do, myself, Agagu and Oyinlola, a man came in; it was the former World Court Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola. He said ‘what is wrong with you?’ He said ‘I know your problem. Your problem is that you don’t want Ladoja to be impeached. They (Oyinlola, Agagau and Daniel) said yes. Justice Ajibola said ‘well, I’ve talked about it to Segun, he’s just adamant. He said ‘but you’re leaders in your own rights. There comes a time when you must have to stand up and fight.’ …When eventually we got the judgement of the Appeal Court, Baba said no. People said this is a declarative judgement; he retorted that they were going to stay its execution. And eventually, it stayed until the Supreme Court confirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal.”
Before 2006 was over, Chief Obasanjo had masterminded the impeachment of four other governors, to wit, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State; Peter Obi of Anambra State, yes the same Mr Obi he tried to railroad into Aso Villa last year, a goal he was even prepared to destroy democracy to achieve; Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State; and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State whom he almost hounded to death. None of the five, including Sen Ladoja, was impeached constitutionally. Apart from lying about his third term agenda, Chief Obasanjo also still feigns interest in the survival of democracy, albeit democracy with African touch. Few of his contemporaries are impressed with his style or principles. They know his style is abominable, and his principles inexistent. They thought he was fated to be a great leader, a president who would lay the foundation of a great and thriving Nigerian democracy, one who would make the country a continental leader and a globally competitive democracy. But he failed the test and has since gone on to posture, rail and flail, blaming everyone but himself for the country’s tragic shortcomings.
It is not clear whether Chief Obasanjo will write his definitive memoires. If he does, they will be full of half-truths or outright mendacities, for nearly all his contemporaries know him to be fundamentally averse to truth and accuracy. It is strange that last year, the Machiavellian Mr Obi allowed himself to be brought under the wing of the former president. Perhaps they share much more in common than many Nigerians think. Sen. Ladoja himself came under the wing of celestial forces who paved his path in life with diamonds. His last hurrah in life will likely be even far more glorious, and he will likely not grieve the angels who cuddle and caress him. Not so, Chief Obasanjo. Probably the luckiest Nigerian alive, to whom legions of angels appear to be at his beck and call, including gifting him long life which, during Bishop David Oyedepo’s 70th birthday, he hinted would exceed 100 years, the former president has nevertheless shown only casual gratefulness for the angelic cares and absolutely no remorse for the evils and failings he had masterminded nearly every waking moment of his life. Sen. Ladoja has alleged how unworthy Chief Obasanjo is to receive honour and applause; let the old soldier rebut the allegation, if he is capable.
