Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday said it is inevitable for a leader who wants to succeed in Nigeria to step on toes.
He said those who lack the courage to step on toes for the right reason should not aspire to any leadership position.
The former President spoke in Abeokuta at an event organised by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Ogun State to honour and celebrate him as an international Icon, statesman, living legend and leader.
Obasanjo told his audience including a former President of Ghana,Mr.John Kuffor ,that he has no apology or explanation to make for some of the drastic decisions he took while in office ,particularly when he served as an army officer.
Those decisions,according to him,were taken in the best interest of moving the country forward.
He said only his conscience and the interest of the majority of Nigerians determined his public and private decisions.
Obasanjo said: “The issue of leadership is a great issue particularly for a country like this(Nigeria) if we are going to move forward. And you can’t be a leader if you will not step on toes. Even if you are a leader in a church or in the mosque if you have to do what is right, you will occasionally step on toes.
“Leadership is a responsibility and as for me what I’m going to do I consider three reasons: can I defend it before people? will my conscience ever remain clear after doing it? and what I’m going to do will it serve the majority good?
He also said he has never participated in the planning and execution of coup in the country.He said he was always invited to participate in government by those behind the coups.
“I always sat down jeje and they would call me,” Obasanjo said.
He urged Nigerians to put the civil war behind them,saying it is shocking that 43 years after the war some Nigerians are still “mourning and groaning” about it.
The former President spoke in reaction to the speech of Mr Ben Gbulie ,who fought on the side of the defunct Biafra.
Gbulie,who spoke on Obasanjo as a Military strategist, said the Igbos fought the war in self defence and to save their people from extermination by the then Federal Government.
But Obasanjo who received the instrument of surrender from the Biafran military said the entire war was unnecessary.”
He said: I have always said that the whole episode is unnecessary but we should also remember one thing: action and reaction in physics are equal and opposite both in human interaction.No reaction is greater than action, you know that and I know that and I believe the time has come when all of us in this country we should put the civil war behind us whether you call it Biafra, whether you call yourself rebel I believe enough is a enough about Nigeria civil war.”
Other speakers included Senate President, David Mark; former Interim Head of State, Ernest Shonekan; former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour; former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili; former Special Adviser to Obasanjo on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Giwa; former Agriculture Minister under Obasanjo, Alhaji Adamu Bello; and the former president’s childhood friend, Oba Michael Omobolade, the Olubara of Ibara,Abeokuta.
They all agreed described Obasanjo as a dedicated Nigerian leader, peace loving and an individual, whose love for the country is unrivalled.
Factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Dipo Odujirin told the gathering that the event tagged – Celebrating Baba Obasanjo – was meant honour him while alive, as against the general practice of honouring people only at their death.
He said the event was to highlight the many contributions of Obasanjo to the growth of the country and the sustainance of its unity.
Shonekan, who was the event’s Chairman, said Obasanjo came from a humble background, rose above his unviable background and other obstacles to attain positions of political relevance, where he impacted positively on the country.
Kufour, who was the guest speaker, reflected on the relationship between his country and Nigeria, which he said was enhanced during his time and that of Obasnjo as leaders of both countries. He cited instances where Nigeria,under Obasanjo assisted Ghana in overcoming its challenges when he assumed office in 2001
He described Obadanjo as a pan-Africanist and a great diplomat who helped to maintain peace in the continent.
Speaking on the topic: Obasanjo – His early years, Omolade, who was Obasanjo’s class mamte at Baptist Boys High School,Abeokuta, said the two of them were united not only by being mates in school, but by poverty.
The traditional ruler said they had to engage in menial jobs to raise funds for their school fees and other basic needs. He described Obasanjo an intelligent and shrewd person, who never allows any challenge to bother him.
He recalled when Obasanjo visited his palace 24 hours after his release from prison, knocked on the door and announced himself as a prisoner, thus making fun of himself.
Speaking on the topic, Obasanjo: The gusty administrator, Ezekwesili described Obasanjo as a leader, who is an embodiment of all the contraditctions in leadership. Citing instnaces where Obasanjo exhibited what she called attributes of a true leader, Ezekwesili said Obasanjo would always support any cause he believes in.
Ezekwesili debunked rumour that Obasanjo fathered her during the Civil War. She said she was born at the Island Maternity in Lagos in 1963, years before the war.
Dignitaries who came to celebrate Chief Obasanjo popularly Ebora of Owu Kingdom included the SENATE President, David Mark, Governor Ibikunle Amosun represented by his Deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, Obasanjo’s former Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, former President of Ghana, Mr John Kufour, former of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Minister of Police Affairs, Retired Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, PDP Chieftain in Ogun State, Chief Bode Mustapha, Senator Gbenga Obadara, Adamawa State Governor, Muritala Nyako, the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, Ekiti State former Governor, Engr. Olusegun Oni, his Ondo State counterpart, Dr Segun Agagu, Alhaja Salmot Badru, Vice – Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Bello, Mr Ben Gbulie, and retired Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo among others.
Other in the gathering were Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, Communication Minister, Mobolaji Johnson and Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.The PDP Chairman, Bamanga Turku was represented by his Special Assistant, Ishola Filani.
