The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mohammadu Buhari

  • Buhari appoints Ogunlesi as head of new media team

    Buhari appoints Ogunlesi as head of new media team

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday appointed Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi as his Special Assistant on Digital/New Media.

    Ogunlesi, who is a renowned blogger and journalist, graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2004, and obtained an MA in Creative Writing from University of East Anglia, UK, in 2011.

    Before his appointment, a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that Ogunlesi had worked as a Features Editor and Editorial Board member of NEXT Newspaper.

    He also worked as a West Africa Editor for The Africa Report magazine from 2014 to 2015.

    Ogunlesi is a two-time winner of the CNN Multichoice African Journalism Awards, and a 2015 New Media Fellow of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP).

    Ogunlesi will be assisted by Bashir Ahmad, who is a Personal Assistant to the President on New Media.

  • Jonathan, Buhari at Non-Violence election workshop

    Jonathan, Buhari at Non-Violence election workshop

  • 2015: APC scales first hurdle

    2015: APC scales first hurdle

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is believed to have made a difference with the way and manner it organised its first presidential primary, which produced Gen. Mohammadu Buhari as its flag bearer in next year’s election. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, who witnessed the event, takes a look at what transpired at the shadow poll.

    The hullabaloo about who becomes the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) in the 2015 presidential election was put to rest last week, after the party’s Third National Convention and presidential primary, which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The election was contested by former Head of State General Mohammadu Buhari, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and the publisher of Leadership newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    Buhari who emerged after the keenly-contested shadow election was humble in victory, saying it the triumph of democracy. The process leading to his emergence had been adjudged the most transparent electoral exercise in recent times. From every indication, the election was purely a family affair and the contestants behaved in like manner, displaying the spirit of sportsmanship and believing that they have a common cause to change the direction of the rudderless ship of the country heading for the cliff.

    Right from the moment when delegates started arriving the venue that fateful Wednesday, around 9 am, till the evening when the event finally got underway, an atmosphere of friendship and conviviality pervaded. This is in spite of the fact that delegates had to wait for long before accreditation finally started at 3 pm.

    The law enforcement agents went about their job with the same spirit. Observers believe kudos must be given to Lagosians, delegates and others visitors alike who showed the highest form of discipline during the exercise.

    By the time the voting started in the wee hours of Thursday, precisely by 1.20 am, it was obvious that the carnival-like event will remain evergreen in the minds of the delegates, particularly those from North, who were thrilled by the Lagos-based entertainers like Tony Tetuila, Nice and Seyi Law.

    Similarly, the delegates from the Lagos axis were mesmerised by display of artistic splendour showcased at to the venue by the northern delegates.

    The comperes, which included Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Tony One Week and Desmond Elliot, put up a good performance that brought laughter and smiles on the faces of all those present. This helped to relax frail nerves. At the end of the day, it was described as one of the most organised political carnival in the country in recent times.

    The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, through his huge sense of humour and unassailable wit, melted the heart of the most hardened contestant. The message was clear: that this was not a time to make claim for personal victory, but a victory for all Nigerians in a battle to reclaim the lost glory.

    Similarly, the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said in his address that the APC convention was unique and that it suggests that history was about to be made in the country. His clarion call was for all participants to rise to the occasion, to assist the country to come up a redeemer who will make personal sacrifices to liberate the country from the yolk of poor leadership.

    He said: ‘’Many of us had attended political conventions before, but this is different. It is different because I can feel the hand of history upon all of us, guiding us to accomplish something vital for our nation. In this period of compound crisis, we are not here just to hold this convention; we are here to seek a captain that will rescue Nigeria.

    ‘’If you listen carefully and closely you will hear something unique and inspiring; it is the voice of change. It is his voice that led you to join this party. It is the voice that made you to become a delegate to this party. It is this voice that will lead us to victory in the election in 2015. It is the voice of the people in the cities, towns and in the villages.

    ‘’It is the voice of the young and the old; it is the voice of north, south, east and west. It is the voice of Christians and Muslims alike. It is the voice that calls for a new day and a better Nigeria than what we have had in the last 15 years. It is your voice and your determination and it is my voice too. It is the voice of our children singing of their hope, singing of their dreams and telling us what about the future.’’

    While announcing the result, the Chairman of the National Planning Committee of the convention and former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, said the convention was historic and keenly contested. He added that it was a victory for democracy and that it would go a long way to show the world that the APC was capable of getting it right, because its members are so determined.

    Buhari said while making his remark after receiving the insignia of the authority as the APC flag bearer: “I wish to commend the Lagos State Government and steadfast in hosting this convention. There was a time Lagos was devoid of the beautiful ambience. Today, Lagos is the cleanest and a safe place in Nigeria. This is due to the leadership and the preference given to it by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, the two governors since 1999. They are team of professionals to this wonderful transformation that Nigerians are proud of. The architect of this convention must be commended; it is a testimony to the fact that democracy as a concept that is greater than the interest of the individual in a free and functional political system.

    “What has just happened is not about winning or losing, but about the triumph of liberty, freedom of choice of association, which is the hallmark of democracy. To my fellow contestants, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, I wish to thank you all for the keenly contested primary we just had. We have to ensure that our party is democratic and send our message to Nigerians voters in the coming election. I congratulate you all on the success of your respective campaign. I extend my greetings to you all in accepting the outcome of this convention and agreeing to support my presidential nomination. I salute you all in the coming days and how we shall confront the challenge ahead. My particular thanks and gratitude go to the delegates, the governors from travelling far and wide, through this vast and particular hostile environment to come here and dutifully participate in this exercise.

    “My dear fellow country men and women, it is with a deep sense of humility that I stand before you to accept the nomination of my party of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be its candidate and flag bearer in the 2015 presidential election. My nomination is not because I am better than any of the other contestants. But, we should all prepare to join hands together to rescue our dear country Nigeria from those who have led us into the current state of insecurity, poverty, sectarian divide and hopelessness among our people.

    “I stand before you today, to ask that you join me, in a common cause. This cause is not the personal fulfilment of one man. This common cause is nothing but the love for our nation and the concern for its present condition and I resolve to make things better for Nigeria. What I say today is for all Nigeria, Christians and Muslims, southern and northern, rich and poor, young and old, men and women, we are all citizen of Nigeria. There is no divide line among us; we are going to work as one together. My choice and the choice of my colleagues is to make progress together, preserving the nation’s future, is a sacred obligation to all of us in this great party. Leaders should be committed to fulfil this obligation; otherwise they have no business being leaders. The current administration does not believe in this obligation, by their action they are leading us to calamity. At any international conference, the Nigerian delegation is usually among the largest, but at the same time the least respected. But, in the political influence, we are among the weakest. To us at home, we continue to live in a situation where the Power Holding Company seems only to have the power to hold us in darkness. Shall we continue in a situation that our 250 daughters have been abducted and the government has failed to rescue them or provide credible information about the steps they are taking? Shall we live in a nation where several people were put to death in search of job in a stadium and yet no one has taken the responsibility for the tragedy? Shall we live in a nation where the ranks of the poor swell and their poverty increase where a few people enjoy unprecedented wealth? My answers to these questions are no, no and no. It is time to close these demeaning spectra in our nation history. I ask that you join the effort not for me, but to establish a better nation for all of us. I understand and accept the hard challenge ahead. When all is said and done, let it be written that Mohammadu Buhari gave it all for this nation.

    “I want to make these five pledges about the government you will elect next February: We will govern Nigeria honestly, in accordance with the constitution. We will strive to secure the country and efficiently manage our economy. We will strive to attack poverty through good economic growth and attacking corruption through impartial application of the law. We will tolerate no religion, regional, ethnic or gender bias in our government.

    “We will use the best Nigerians for the right jobs. Our government will equally stand for the cause of the common man whether you are a Christian from Bayelsa State or Muslim from Kaduna State. You are first and foremost a Nigerian in my eyes. I shall treat equally as my people, as my family, brother and my sisters. There can be no genuine love in our country without meeting all these people in our diversity.’’

    The Speaker House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal commended the delegates for leaving their comfort zones to be at the convention. “I commend you for coming to this venue, to conduct, one of the most desirable and commendable efforts in ensuring that democracy continues to prosper in Nigeria. By coming together, of the membership of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) to form the APC which has never happened in the history of Nigeria, I must commend the leadership of both parties for the great sacrifice.

    ‘’Today, we are going to present to Nigerians and I believe the most credible alternative to what we have in Abuja today. We have here those who are interested in the co-existence of Nigeria and to support whoever emerges from tonight activities by voting out the incompetent, malfunctioning and maladministration that we have in Abuja today.

    ‘’That sacrifice from Nigerians is desirable for us to continue to enjoy lasting peace in Nigeria. It is desirable for us to continue to have a Nigeria that we call our own. What we are witnessing today, a situation whereby some parts of Nigeria are being taken over by Boko Haram insurgents is regrettable. The APC by the grace of God will arrest that situation almost immediately we come to office,’’ he said.

    Chief Ogbonnaya Onu said: “History is being made in our dear country; for 15 years one political party has been governing our great nation. For 15 years, we have seen that the problem they inherited, which they have not been able to solve. For 15 years, you have seen that Nigeria is suffering tremendously. The time for change has come and the APC is forum which Nigerians will use for that change.

    “Nigeria, change is on the way; all those who have suffered tremendously on insecurity in our country, there is great hope that with the APC government; we will be able to secure our great country. Our economy has been doing so poorly; we produce crude oil and the 6th largest producer in the world and yet we import most of the petroleum products we use in our country. We are exporting jobs leaving our young men and women unemployed. The young in Nigeria, I can assure you that hope is on the way,’’ he said.

    Chief Audu Ogbe said: “We thank those of you who are joining us and in particular Senator Barnbas Gamade. I will like to ask some few questions. Who among us are so blind that they cannot see disaster coming? Who is so deaf that to the bombs which occur daily, blowing up our people, while like Pharaoh we wake and sleep in Abuja saying it is not yet time to end the insurrection? Who is not or conscious that cannot see the faith of our very future? Who is so sick of mind that he or she cannot see the biggest threat facing us as a people?

    ‘’Over 50 per cent of our youth have no job; there are no roads; there are no accommodation, electricity and other basic things to drive the economy have been grounded by leadership that lack the vision. We have become a nation of consumers, importing everything from biscuit to tomatoes paste, honey, tissue paper, exercise books and other basic things all in the name of being a consumer nation. The demand for the dollar is so higher that the naira is getting weaker and weaker. It is obvious that disaster is staring us in the face and it is to prevent this disaster that all of us are here.”

    APC National Women leader, Hajia Ramatu Tijani said: “I want to commend our fellow women who have come here because we believe in our great party. The path before us at this convention is to assure Nigerians and the world that we are different. We want to show that we believe in the government of one-man-one-vote.”

    Commending the outcome of the polls, Atiku congratulated Buhari, noting that he will put in his best to ensure that the party wins the next year election. He said: ‘’I am very confident that you will provide the needed leadership to this country. I have no doubt that you will work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens, improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance and fight corruption.

     

     

  • PDP faults APC’s stance on attempt on Buhari’s life

    PDP faults APC’s stance on attempt on Buhari’s life

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday’s terror attack in Kaduna targeted at one of its leaders, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari(Rtd.).

    The APC, in its reaction to the attempt on Buhari’s life, had stated that the incident had put a lie to PDP’s hackneyed claim that the opposition party was behind the spate of terrorist attacks in the country.

    But in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the PDP described attempts by the APC to use the incident to absolve itself of blames for encouraging insurgency in the country as “laughable and lame”.

    The PDP said the APC’s true identity as a party supportive of violence and disunity in the country is already well known.

    The statement said: “Nigerians will recall that when the news of the attack broke out, the PDP took the high moral ground of condemning the development and sympathised with General Muhammadu Buhari while at the same time calling for a thorough investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    “We are therefore shocked, disappointed and disgusted that the APC leaders chose to use the ugly development to embark on image laundering.

    “However, their hasty attempts to indict the Presidency and our great party while exonerating themselves from the widely held notion that they have been promoting insurgency have raised issues regarding what really happened, especially now that a suspect has been arrested.”

    The party added: “Nigerians now ponder; they ask, was the attack a setup aimed at scoring some political points? If indeed it was an assassination attempt, was it engineered by internal frictions and crisis of ambition within the APC?

    “Has it to do with some other presidential aspirants in the APC seeing General Buhari as a threat and obstacle to their ambitions?

    “Or could it be APC’s desperate strategy of trying to disentangle itself from the internationally acknowledged link with terrorists and possibly undermine the planned probe of their involvement by the United Kingdom?

    “These questions have become completely pertinent considering the fact that General Buhari poses no threat whatsoever to any candidate that the PDP might project.

    “He lost three times to our great party in presidential elections and will lose the fourth time if he emerges the candidate of the APC. Our advice to APC is that they might as well consider looking inwards if they believe it was an assassination attempt.”

    The PDP insisted that the APC cannot in anyway exonerate itself from the insurgency ravaging the country, which it said the latter had been promoting through the utterances and actions of its leaders, “thinking that the insurgents were after the President and the PDP”.

    The ruling party said if the APC leaders had joined other well-meaning Nigerians in condemning acts of terrorism at the early stage, the perpetrators would not have been bold enough to get to the current alarming level.

     

  • Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu, Amosun, others extol Awujale at 80

    Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu, Amosun, others extol Awujale at 80

    President Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of State, General  Mohammadu Buhari (Rtd); National Leader of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun and hundreds of eminent Nigerians yesterday extolled the virtues of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who clocked 80.

    They joined others from all walks of life to grace the grand finale of the week-long birthday celebration of Oba Adetona at the ancient town of Ijebu-Ode.

    Jonathan and others described him as a “big masquerade”, “lucky monarch,” a “colossus,” “courageous and honest person.”

    Oba Adetona, who clocked 80 in May, has been on the throne of his forebears for over 50 years and remains one of the longest- reigning monarchs in Nigeria.

    Jonathan, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, General Oladeinde Arogbofa (rtd), extolled Awujale, saying he has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria and urged him to persevere in his good deeds.

    The President described the monarch as a “big masquerade” whose wealth of experience had helped the country in no small measure.

    According to him: “Our revered father, you should continue to do those things that you have been doing so well.

    “I appreciate the good people of Ijebuland for working closely with Awujale. The  the calibre of people present here today is an indication that the people love our monarch.

    “His reign of 54 years now has made him to be so loved. Baba, continue to play the fatherly leadership role.”

    Buhari eulogised Adetona for his forthrightness at all times and described him as a lucky monarch who had seen the nation’s trying political processes.

    To Tinubu, the paramount ruler is an “honest and courageous person.”

    Amosun described Adetona as a “colossus and a peacemaker,” and ascribed some of the achievements recorded by his administration in the last 35 months to the ruler’s support.

    The governor named the first flyover in the town after the royal father to immortalise him.

    Amosun said: “You are an experienced Oba and we are honouring you today, which marks your 80th birthday with the naming of the first flyover bridge in the town after your name.”

    The monarch, while appreciating his guests, expressed gratitude to his creator for making him to join the league of octogenarians despite his early challenges in life.

    Adetona said: “The beginning was a bit rough, but I thank Almighty Allah that today we are rejoicing.

    “I am grateful to Allah for blessing all my activities. I promised that I will continue to stand on the side of truth.”

    Others in attendance were former governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; former Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi  Adesina.

    Other dignitaries included President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the Chairman, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun and the Chairman, Globacom Plc., Chief Mike Adenuga.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi led other monarchs, which include the Obi of Onitsha, Dr. Nnaemeka Achebe; the Oba of Lagos, (Dr) Rilwan Akiolu; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba(Dr) Michael Gbadebo and the Akarigbo of Remoland Oba (Dr) Adeniyi Sonariwo.

    Other monarchs were the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Safiriyu Oyefusi, Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya and  the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Dr) Adegboyega Dosunmu.

    Also in attendance were the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Adamu Mu’azu; the Chairman, Honeywell Group of Companies, Oba Otudeko; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; the Presiding Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and Chief Razaq Okoya.

  • How not to fight terror

    How not to fight terror

    The horror of yet another attack and killing of innocent and ordinary Nigerians by the terrorist group Boko Haram was brought closer to the seat of power Monday when an explosion believed to be bomb rocked a busy motor park at Nyanyan near Abuja leaving scores dead and many more wounded.

    The early morning attack on the victims, most of whom were travelers either heading out of or coming into the Federal capital was coming on the heels of a travel advisory by the Department of State Security (DSS) to some prominent and high profile Nigerians not to travel to the north east region, the hot bed of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Former Heads of State Generals Mohammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar, second republic president Shehu Shagari, Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso and Shettima of Kano and Borno States respectively, former Governor of Borno, Ali Modu Sheriff, the Sultan, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero are among a host of other Very Important Personalities and high net worth individuals the DSS say are on the hit list of Boko Haram should they venture to visits any area in the north east. And if they must go there, they must get security clearance and be provided with adequate security to ward off any likely attack by the terrorists.

    While recognizing the need to keep our leaders past and present away from harm, leaving the ordinary people open to such attacks as Boko Haram is capable of carrying out raises so many questions as to the ability and capability of our security agencies to protect life and property in this country.

    If the DSS could, through its network of spies learn of the plot by Boko Haram to harm these eminent Nigerians, how did it fail to know that the terrorist group was going to strike at Nyanyan and as such warn the people, especially the hundreds of travelers that use the park on a daily basis to either stay away or be very careful?

    Proving security anywhere in the world is not error proof, but one would have expected that Abuja being the federal capital and indeed all our major cities should be properly protected to such an extent that the kind of attack at Nyanyan would be impossible for anybody or group to not only contemplate but also carry out. We return to Nyanyan later.

    The main point here is the travel advisory. Issuing it or even making it public looks to me like victory for Boko Haram. Now the terror group knows that mere threat from it would be enough to send our security agencies running helter scepter, especially in the direction(s) it wanted. Who knows, the so called hit list could be a ploy by Boko Haram to divert attention from its intended targets giving it enough time wreck havoc and inflict pains on the largest number possible. The hit list could be a diversion to clear the way for such attacks as we’ve just had at Nyanyan.

    What lesson can we draw from here?

    First we should learn from those that have traveled this route before. How has Israel been able to cope all these years in the face of relentless attacks or planned attack by the Palestinians and their allies? Two decades ago or thereabout, I had cause to be part of a team of Foreign Affairs editors invited by the Israeli Embassy in Lagos to interview former Prime Minister Shimon Peres. The security arrangement was so tight that one was left wondering who would be after Israel or Israeli interest in Nigeria, but you never can tell. May be they had information about a threat of attack, yet Peres was still allowed to travel to Nigeria without any noise being made. By that, if there was any planned attack, it was only known to the planner(s) and perhaps Israeli security. To the outside world, it was business as usual.

    This, to me is perhaps one of the best ways to catch any would be terrorist; make them believe you have lowered your guard or even unperturbed by their threats and in the process, lure them into your trap. Now that these people have been warned from going to the north east, Boko Haram would not only feel big, we might not be able to get whoever among them capable of carrying out such an attack on the life of any of these eminent Nigerians.

    How do you think the world would react if President Barrack Obama or any of his predecessors or even Senators were to be advised publicly by the CIA not to travel to let’s say Afghanistan, Iraq or even Syria because of the threat of Al Qaeda.? I am sure the reaction is better imagined. You don’t fight terror by running away from it or getting scared; far from it. You fight terror by confronting it. Yes, there is the need to take sensible precaution but not to the point of behaving cowardly. So if tomorrow the DSS gets credible intelligence that Boko Haram was planning to kill all head teachers in the north east, would the Service advise them not to go to work?

    By the way why is Boko Haram still this powerful and seemingly unbeatable in spite of the resources both human and material deploy to the north east by government to fight the insurgents since the insurgency began? This is the question we should be asking ourselves. We created a new division of the Nigerian Army for that region yet all we get is massacre of innocent and defenseless people by the terrorists and yet our security forces tell us they are on top of the situation; on top of which situation? Some students on the way to writing last Saturday university matriculation exams (JAMB) in Borno State were killed by insurgents; what are we talking about?

    It’s about time an audit of how the military and other security agencies have been fight this war on terror is carried out for us to know whether we are making progress or not. Millions of dollars are allocated to the security forces to fight Boko Haram yet the boys on ground complain of poor motivation and inadequate equipment; so, where have the money gone into? Some of our commanders and their bosses at HQ are alleged to be making money out of this misfortune called Boko Haram; we need to look into this and punish the culprit(s) if any severely. As long as this is going on, the boys out there will not be motivated to fight and Boko Haram would be encouraged to continue the killings.

    For the Nyanyans of the world and other such soft targets, the people patronizing these places also need their own travel advisory and protection from our security agencies, after all we are all Nigerians and no Nigerian is more important than the other.

     

  • Can African leaders emulate Mandela?

    His assessment of Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, a First Republic Parliamentarian and Minister of Health from Borno, smacked of emasculation. To him, Ibrahim, the rich businessmen, was an unserious politician bidding for power.

    Throughout his life, Aminu Kano had championed the cause of the repressed and deprived masses. Obasanjo simply dismissed him as a figure renowned for carrying placards, adding that he could even protest against himself.

    Former President Shehu Shagari also fell under his hammer. He described him as a slow and dull President, who was not in effective control.

    Obasanjo described Mohammadu Buhari and the late Tunde Idiagbon, his juniors in the Army, as autocratic military rulers, who held the nation in its jugular.

    Apart from flaying former Military President Ibrahim Babangida for detaining Buhari and Idiagbon after toppling them, he also criticised his economic policies. On the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Obasanjo disagreed with Babangida on the implementation process, saying that adjustment must have human face, human heart and milk of human kindness.

    When Babangida tinkered with the transition timetable, Obasanjo rallied prominent Nigerians to protest the elongation of military rule. He was one of the leaders who suggested the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    He said, the option was regrettable but understandable. The suggestion nailed the coffin of the “June 12”. Of course, Obasanjo said the winner of the historic presidential poll, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, was not the messiah.

    The late Gen. Sani Abacha sacked the interim contraception that was set up by Babangida. He also imprisoned Obasanjo after he was roped in a phantom coup. He was saved by divine intervention.

     

    Between Mandela

    and Obasanjo

     

    From grass, Obasanjo rose to grace. He had a second chance. He emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 1998. When he became the civilian president, Nigerians had high hopes. His commonwealth leaders welcomed him back to power with optimism. Their confidence was intact.

    Former United States President Jimmy Carter hailed his re-emergence. He said, judging by his leadership qualities, he would justify the trust of a model of transparency and a leader committed to higher ideals. It was a wasted expectation. The previous achievements were not repeated.

    Obasanjo could not fight the infrastructure battle adequately. He left behind a prostrate nation, agonizing over lack of electricity, good roads, good hospitals and good schools.

    In 2003, there were complaints about electoral malpractices. It was a child play to what happened in 2007.

    The leader of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Joei Okei-Odumakin, alluded to a large scale electoral fraud unrivalled in Nigeria history. He said the malpractices had created a hollow in the leader’s record of transparency outside power. Many also doubted his commitment to the sanctity of the ballot box. Up came the third term project, which was knocked out by credible politicians and the media.

    As the election drew nearer, there was confusion. Court orders were disobeyed by the leader. The anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was misused to witch hunt perceived political enemies. Council allocations in some states were seized, thereby aborting grassroots development.

    Obasanjo ran a large administration. The cabinet size was huge. According to critics, it was largely unproductive. The dividends of democracy were scanty.

    When the former President now exposed the ballot box to a virulent attack, all hopes were totally lost. Democracy thrives on periodic elections as a means of choice, rejection, endorsement and change of leadership. This right reinforces the strength of the voting public and it is a predictor of democratic survival.

    The former President had shocked the anxious nation that the contest would be a do-or-die affair. Hell was let loose on poll day. It was akin to war. Domestic and foreign monitors said it was the worst in the history of the country.Three years after, the cases were still in court. The victories allotted to Obasanjo’s favoured candidates were later upturned by the judiciary after he vacated the exalted seat.

    Before he left, it was impossible to right the wrongs.

  • Can African leaders emulate Mandela?

    Can African leaders emulate Mandela?

    His assessment of Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, a First Republic Parliamentarian and Minister of Health from Borno, smacked of emasculation. To him, Ibrahim, the rich businessmen, was an unserious politician bidding for power.

    Throughout his life, Aminu Kano had championed the cause of the repressed and deprived masses. Obasanjo simply dismissed him as a figure renowned for carrying placards, adding that he could even protest against himself.

    Former President Shehu Shagari also fell under his hammer. He described him as a slow and dull President, who was not in effective control.

    Obasanjo described Mohammadu Buhari and the late Tunde Idiagbon, his juniors in the Army, as autocratic military rulers, who held the nation in its jugular.

    Apart from flaying former Military President Ibrahim Babangida for detaining Buhari and Idiagbon after toppling them, he also criticised his economic policies. On the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Obasanjo disagreed with Babangida on the implementation process, saying that adjustment must have human face, human heart and milk of human kindness.

    When Babangida tinkered with the transition timetable, Obasanjo rallied prominent Nigerians to protest the elongation of military rule. He was one of the leaders who suggested the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    He said, the option was regrettable but understandable. The suggestion nailed the coffin of the “June 12”. Of course, Obasanjo said the winner of the historic presidential poll, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, was not the messiah.

    The late Gen. Sani Abacha sacked the interim contraception that was set up by Babangida. He also imprisoned Obasanjo after he was roped in a phantom coup. He was saved by divine intervention.

     

    Between Mandela

    and Obasanjo

     

    From grass, Obasanjo rose to grace. He had a second chance. He emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 1998. When he became the civilian president, Nigerians had high hopes. His commonwealth leaders welcomed him back to power with optimism. Their confidence was intact.

    Former United States President Jimmy Carter hailed his re-emergence. He said, judging by his leadership qualities, he would justify the trust of a model of transparency and a leader committed to higher ideals. It was a wasted expectation. The previous achievements were not repeated.

    Obasanjo could not fight the infrastructure battle adequately. He left behind a prostrate nation, agonizing over lack of electricity, good roads, good hospitals and good schools.

    In 2003, there were complaints about electoral malpractices. It was a child play to what happened in 2007.

    The leader of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Joei Okei-Odumakin, alluded to a large scale electoral fraud unrivalled in Nigeria history. He said the malpractices had created a hollow in the leader’s record of transparency outside power. Many also doubted his commitment to the sanctity of the ballot box. Up came the third term project, which was knocked out by credible politicians and the media.

    As the election drew nearer, there was confusion. Court orders were disobeyed by the leader. The anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was misused to witch hunt perceived political enemies. Council allocations in some states were seized, thereby aborting grassroots development.

    Obasanjo ran a large administration. The cabinet size was huge. According to critics, it was largely unproductive. The dividends of democracy were scanty.

    When the former President now exposed the ballot box to a virulent attack, all hopes were totally lost. Democracy thrives on periodic elections as a means of choice, rejection, endorsement and change of leadership. This right reinforces the strength of the voting public and it is a predictor of democratic survival.

    The former President had shocked the anxious nation that the contest would be a do-or-die affair. Hell was let loose on poll day. It was akin to war. Domestic and foreign monitors said it was the worst in the history of the country.Three years after, the cases were still in court. The victories allotted to Obasanjo’s favoured candidates were later upturned by the judiciary after he vacated the exalted seat.

    Before he left, it was impossible to right the wrongs.