(A note on African leaders who became wise ONLY after leaving office!)
I was going to write an article about former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his constant criticism of Nigeria and African mis-rulers.
However, I got seriously carried away by some important geopolitical developments that required attention.
I will now return to them after paying my homage to global issues.
According to a report in the Punch Newspaper, Nigeria’s three-time leader, General Olusegun Obasanjo, did what he does best: criticized current Nigerian/African misrulers.
Excerpts: “Where I was born should not be the enemy of my ‘Nigerianess.’ I will be increasing by being a Nigerian rather than being a member of the Republic of Oodua.
“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba…we must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together.”
The former President lamented Nigeria’s current situation, saying the country had disappointed the black race and the world at large.
The African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up unto us. When we got our Independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun but is that the situation today?
We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa and the world at large…
He noted that he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race…” – https://punchng.com/im-better-as.a.nigerian-than.in.oodua.republic.says.obasanjo/
Hmmm.
While we do not begrudge the Ota Farmer and Chief his right to voice his opinions on national, continental, or global issues, it is important to point out to OBJ that the conditions he vociferates passionately against today in Nigeria would not have existed were he to have done the correct things when, with little effort on his part, fate twice handed him the power to rule Nigeria.
For those of us not conversant with Nigeria’s political history or who were not old enough to remember Obasanjo’s rules, first as a cruel and brutal dictator and secondly as a civilian president who was essentially (s)elected to placate his Yoruba people, who were wronged by the annulment of the election of MKO Abiola in the 1993 elections, we will shed some light and question Obasanjo’s sanctimonious posturing.
Please do not get me wrong. I respect my elders and do my best not to allow my professional writing to be motivated by personal emotions or malice.
As a matter of record, in 2007, I wrote an article, “Obasanjo’s Agonistes,” to offer support when the Ota Chief was unduly hammered in the media. Link: https://alaye.biz/obasanjo-agonistes-2/
But that should not stop us from calling on OBJ to have some moment of self-reflection before he continues to pontificate loudly!
His self-reverential is just too disgusting.
OBJ epitomizes the mendacity of African leaders who appear to acquire oracular wisdom ONLY after they leave office.
As mentioned supra, Obasanjo twice had the opportunity to turn Nigeria around, first as a military dictator and second as a two-term Democratic president. History will judge him rather harshly for failing to build the Nigeria of his dreams when he had the chance(s).
We know what his contemporaries in South Korea did and what the Chinese did.
Obasanjo claimed to have spent US$16 billion on Nigeria’s electricity sector. Yet, there was nothing to show for it as the country struggled to generate and distribute enough electricity for citizens and industries.
Today, he pontificates loudly and appears to have all the answers to Nigeria, Africa, and global problems.
While OBJ’s critique of African leadership failures, ranging from corruption to authoritarianism, might resonate widely, especially with those who know little about Nigeria or Africa, his legacy should invite scrutiny.
Let us examine four main themes of Obasanjo’s incessant criticism:
1. Corruption: While Obasanjo repeatedly points to corruption as a fundamental problem in African leadership, we should not forget that similar allegations plagued his administration.
To those old enough to remember his first rule, irony does not even describe Obasanjo’s current anti-corruption posturing.
When he talks about corruption, did OBJ develop amnesia over the International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) scandal, which his kinsman, the legendary Fela, immortalized in the song “International Thief Thief?” “ITT,” with allegations of Obasanjo’s partnership with ITT, allegedly included massive kickbacks on contracts that left Nigeria in debt but without significant telecom infrastructure development.
As a civilian president from 1999 to 2007, Obasanjo was implicated in the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals. These companies allegedly paid Nigerian government officials millions of dollars in bribes to secure lucrative contracts.
The most significant corruption scandal during Obasanjo’s presidency involved his vice president, Atiku Abubakar, who was implicated in several corruption cases, including allegations of diverting public funds and using government resources for personal gain.
Did Chief Obasanjo forget that he was accused of using the anti-corruption agencies as a political tool to silence opposition rather than a genuine effort to root out graft?
One of Obasanjo’s administration’s most glaring failures was the mismanagement of funds allocated to the power sector. Despite reportedly spending over $16 billion to improve Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure, there were few results. The power supply remained unreliable, and many Nigerians continued to experience regular blackouts.
Maybe the Ota Chief should tell the world what he spent $16 billion of Nigeria’s money on before he mounts the rostrum in self-righteous condemnation of corruption.
2. Obasanjo’s accusation of African leaders’ abuse of human rights
Blessed are those with short selective memory!
Human rights violations were constant features of Obasanjo’s administration, both as a military dictator and as an elected president. Accusations of abuse of power and heavy-handed tactics against dissenters characterized his rules.
Does OBJ need reminding about the “Ali Must Go,’ student riots
Did OBJ forget about the Odi massacre in 1999 and the Zaki Biam massacre in 2001? In Odi, a town in Bayelsa State, a military operation was ordered in response to the killing of police officers by militants. The military action led to significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Similarly, in Zaki Biam, Benue State, an army operation in response to local violence resulted in deaths and widespread displacement. Human rights organizations widely condemned these incidents, highlighting Obasanjo’s willingness to use force rather than dialogue.
Chief Obasanjo should not forget that his government was accused of using state institutions to suppress opposition and of using the EFCC, ostensibly created to fight corruption, against his political opponents.
3. Reluctance to Relinquish Power
When Chief Obasanjo berate African leaders for attempting to cling to power
did he forget that one of the most contentious episodes of his presidency was his attempt to secure a third term?
Ha.
This is interesting because Obasanjo attempted to elongate his terms, as attested by this claim by a person in the known. “Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara has revealed that he rejected the sum of N250 million to support the third-term agenda during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
In an excerpt from the YouTube interview series “Untold Stories with Adesuwa,” released on Monday, when asked about the truthfulness of this assertion, he said, “That’s very correct.” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/07/why-i-turned-down-n250-million-for-third-term-agenda-wabara/
4. Economic Mismanagement: Another of Obasanjo’s criticisms is often the economic challenges Africa faces, citing poor decisions and lack of accountability.
As I argued in the article “Obasanjo Agonistes,” referred to above, while there is no denying the fact that OBJ performed better than previous leaders, his achievements were often overshadowed by other economic missteps and unfulfilled promises.
He should not be under the illusion that under him, Nigeria was one paradisical bliss.
To Round it all up.
Obasanjo’s complex legacy in Nigerian politics includes both achievements and significant shortcomings. Chief Obasanjo undoubtedly contributed majorly to Nigeria’s development.
Our intention is not to deny him his earned kudos, but he needs to be reminded that his administration was plagued by many of the same issues he now criticizes.
His attempts to consolidate power, his administration’s uneven approach to anti-corruption, and his mixed record on human rights undermine his credibility as a critic of Nigeria’s present challenges.
How can one forget that it was the Obasanjo’s regime that sent troops to burn Fela’s shrine and set up the kangaroo court that came up with the nebulous verdict that “Unknown Soldiers” performed the perfidy?
©️ Fẹ́mi Akọ́mọláfẹ́
(Farmer, Writer, Published Author, and Social Commentator.T)
