The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obasanjo

  • Obasanjo: Ribadu was once poisoned

    Obasanjo: Ribadu was once poisoned

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was once poisoned in the course of his duties as anti-corruption czar.

    Obasanjo disclosed this at an international forum on Third Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    He also revealed that Ribadu created enemies for him because of the ruthlessness with which he carried out his responsibilities of tackling corruption.

    Obasanjo, who spoke from the floor following a presentation on Illicit Financial Flow and Governance of Natural Resources made by Ribadu, affirmed that he had known from experience that the fight against corruption attracts a lot of enemies.

    The former president declared that he had no fear of anyone still living in Nigeria, adding, “it is rather them that fear me.”

    Saying that Ribadu took on a lot of highly connected people in his fight against corruption, Obasanjo said that the former anti-corruption chief was once poisoned, causing a scare in concerned quarters.

    “It was a matter of life and death” the former president said. He gave no details of the incident.

    Obasanjo said that once Ribadu was appointed, he gave him a free hand and that Ribadu investigated him, his late wife and several persons close to him.

    He also narrated a story of how a serving minister, who was his senior in secondary school, was indicted and prosecuted by the EFCC, adding that when the minister was found wanting, “there was no issue of seniority again.”

    On leadership, Obasanjo, who is also the chairperson of the Tana Forum, re-echoed Ribadu’s submission that at the centre of the anti-corruption fight is the need for willing political leadership at the highest level.

    He, however, added that the leader also needed legislations to work with.

    Obasanjo recalled narrating his experience with the bill establishing ICPC which, he said, was whittled down by lawmakers, who felt they could be victims of the law.

    Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn thanked Ribadu for his presentation, which, he said, highlighted many good things about Nigeria, different from what is portrayed in the media.

    Ribadu listed measures African countries can take to tackle illicit financial flow and repatriate money already illegally taken out of the African countries.

    He said Africa needed honest and committed leaders who will set examples with themselves by eschewing corruption and closing avenues of illicit financial flow.

    According to him, it is the seriousness and commitment showed by the political leadership that will convince other foreign countries to work with them towards recovering looted monies stashed abroad.

    Ribadu also emphasised the need for concerted effort among countries and a synergy among law enforcement agencies so that looters could be caught.

     

  • Obasanjo contributed to my re-election, says Amosun

    Obasanjo contributed to my re-election, says Amosun

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has acknowledged the role of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his re-election.

    Addressing thousands of supporters at the MKO Abiola International Stadium during his inauguration, the governor who thanked the people of the state for their support, however added Obasanjo deserved a special mention and commendation.

    The governor’s acknowledgement of Obasanjo elicited deafening ovation from the crowd. The former President was not present at the occasion, but his wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, was in attendance.

    Amosun said: “Let me specially appreciate our Baba, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He is not here, because he has to be in Abuja, but we have his wife; our mother with us here. I say you are recognised Mama.”

    The political relationship between Obasanjo and Amosun was rekindled due to what the former described as the governor’s impressive performance in the areas of infrastructural development, urban renewal, provision of security, among other sectors.

    In the build up to the 2015 general elections, Obasanjo quit party politics after he fell out with his former party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).           He subsequently publicly announced his support to Amosun’s re-election.

     

  • Obasanjo, the big masquerade of my re – election- Amosun

    Obasanjo, the big masquerade of my re – election- Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has acknowledged the immense role of ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo in his re – election success.

    Amosun who was appreciating the people of the state for their support that ensured the success of his first term tenure as well as the re – election at the polls last April 11, described Obasanjo as the “big masquerade” whose support brought much goodwill to him(Amosun).

    The Governor spoke while addressing thousands of supporters at the MKO Abiola International stadium, Abeokuta, shortly after his inauguration for another round of four years.

    He said Obasanjo deserved a special mention and commendation.

    Obasanjo whose name elicited deafening ovation when Amosun mentioned him for commendation, was not at the stadium but his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, was in attendance.

    Amosun said:”but, as Yoruba use to say, that Egun Nla lo n gbe yin Igbale ( the big masquerade is the last at the shrine) let me specially appreciated our Baba, former President, Baba Olusegun Obasanjo” he could not finished his remarks before the crowd went into frenzy.

    “He could not be here, because he is in Abuja, but, we have his wife; our mother with us here. I say you are recognized Mama.”

    The political relationship between Obasanjo and Amosun was rekindled following what the former President openly admitted as the Governor’s impressive performance in the areas of infrastural development, urban renewal, palpable security, clean and safer environment of Ogun state

    Also, the Director General of the Sen. Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organization during the 2015 electioneering period, Chief Bode Mustapha, lauded Obasanjo for the Amosun re – election.

    “In Yorubaland, we always respect and appreciate elders who stand and hold on to the truth. Despite being in different political party, Baba never hidden his admiration for the wonderful performance of the governor.

    “He is not sentimental about the positive rebuilding mission in the state, and that is Obasanjo for you. So, for the people of Ogun state to have given him that cheers, it is a lesson for all that there is always reward for everything,” Mustapha said.

  • Jonathan to Buhari: extend probe to Obasanjo, others

    Jonathan to Buhari: extend probe to Obasanjo, others

    President Goodluck Jonathan replied yesterday to calls for the probe of his administration. He said any probe by the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration should not be limited to his administration.

    Speaking during the valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he said that those calling for a probe of his administration should ensure that the same treatment applies to other administrations before him.

    The other administrations include those of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999), former President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010).

    Jonathan said such probe should cover how oil wells and fields were allocated in the past.

    Limiting the probe to his administration, he said, will amount to witch hunting.

    Said Dr Jonathan: “Some people are even calling for the probe of this government. I agree in Nigeria there are a number of things that we will probe, very many things. Even debts owed by states and this nation from 1960 up to this time, they say it is Jonathan’s administration that is owing all the debt.

    “I believe that anybody calling for probe must ensure that these probes are extended beyond the Jonathan administration; otherwise, to me, it will be witch hunting. If you are very sincere, then it’s not just the Jonathan’s administration that should be probed.

    “A number of things have gone wrong and we have done our best to fix them. The Attorney General is aware of massive judgment debts. If we aggregate all of them, it’s almost going to $1 billion. How did we come to this kind of huge judgment debts?

    “These issues should be probed. How do you allocate our oil wells, oil fields, marginal wells and all that; do we follow our laws? All these should be probed. And I believe all these and many more areas should be looked at.”

    According to him, the fuel scarcity and workers’ strikes are acts of sabotage by those bent on bringing down his administration, despite having few days to go.

    Jonathan said: “Even this last fuel scarcity, to me, one can clearly say it was an act of sabotage. This government has few days to go. That is definitely not the time you expect massive strikes, using marketers and unions; unions asking for increase in salaries at a time oil price has dropped and volumes have dropped.

    “None of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) is increasing salaries but our unions wanted 11 per cent increase in allowances and so on and so forth and went on strike.

    “There was 21 days reserve in this country. It is not as if we had no products but they just refused to lift. Diesel was deregulated long ago, so the issue was not the product but people who felt they must bring this government to its knees even when they know that we had few days to leave. But we thank God we are getting over it and God will see us through.”

    The President also stressed that his administration had done its best for Nigeria.

    His words: “One thing that is clear, I enjoyed working with all of you. I’m very pleased with all of you. I want to thank all of you for your various contributions to the development of our country. I want to thank those that have been with us, the Advisers, Special Senior Assistants, the secretariat, other senior government functionaries, including the media that covered proceedings every Wednesday.”

    “As a cabinet, we have tried our best. I believe we have done well under a very difficult situation. There are a lot of criticisms; people say different things at different times. Some of those who make some statements know they are purely political.

    “I have always throw, the challenge that those who criticise us should compare what we have done in the various sectors to what others have done. I may not need to enumerate but if you look at the rail system and what we have done within this period, the oil sector where there has been so much attack, one good thing we did was the Nigerian content law that revolutionised the oil industry.”

    He went on: “There were a lot of fabrication going on in Lagos and other places but it was never like this before. Nigerians are playing key roles in the oil sector. People sometimes forget this. Even with that, maybe we have offended some people but the Nigerian local content has really helped so many Nigerians to play big in the oil sector.”

    “The agriculture, power sectors and maybe in foreign relations, like the Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned, from 1960 to date, we have been members of the Security Council as non-permanent members five times; out of these five times, two times was with the five years of our administration.”

    “We have been an independent nation for years and we have been in the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members five times, two within this administration. That shows clearly that the rest of the world appreciates our little contributions to global issue.”

    “In education, the road system; we have added Kasambilla to our dams; we have done wonderfully well in sports within this period. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and, of course, the financial inclusion within this period is more than ever before. I can go on and on and mention almost all the sectors. So I believe we have done our best ýand Nigerians will continue to assess us,” he said.

    “Even though we operated under an extremely difficult situation, maybe because politics in Nigeria is just maturing, we witnessed the longest ASUU strike. I don’t think we have ever witnessed a strike that lasted for six months and we believe that that strike was partially politically-motivated; otherwise lecturers cannot troop out for six months.

    “There were the terror attacks. We know Boko Haram predates this administration but immediately after the elections, I believe because of local and external factors, they became very vicious, extremely destructive, killing people and destroying properties.”

    The President said that the cabinet will be dissolved at the end of all official functions today.

    He said: “But remember we still have a programme tomorrow; the government is not ending today. We have the formal handover process tomorrow and you must come as ministers of the Federal Government. I’m saying so because of the media; the cabinet has not been desolved.

    “This is only a valedictory session because this is the last Wednesday. We will certainly formally dissolve the cabinet. But today, the cabinet has not been dissolve because ministers are yet to hand over and that ceremony will come up tomorrow, and you will come for tomorrow’s dinner as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    “We will probably have a little meeting here where we will formally dissolve the cabinet but all these programmes coming up tomorrow you have to attend as ministers.”

    Vice President Namadi Sambo, who set the ball rolling during the valedictory, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him over the years.

    He noted that he never lobbied to be Jonathan’s running mate both in 2011 and the 2015 presidential elections.

    He said: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan found me worthy to be his running mate twice, first in 2011 when we were returned with an overwhelming majority to emerge victorious at the election and in 2015 where we encountered some electoral misfortune.

    “I can recall confidently that I had neither canvassed nor lobbied to be appointed the Vice President at any point in time, except that Mr. President found me worthy to support him in steering the ship of state. This is a clear demonstration and proof of the confidence Mr. President reposed in me in the discharge of my onerous responsibility of my office to the best of my ability.

    “I am privileged and humbled to be found worthy to be the Vice President of this great nation by a great leader, democrat, peace ambassador and patriot of our time.”

    He praised other members of FEC for what he called their monumental service to the country and their collective spirit to serve their fatherland.

    Sambo pointed out that the administration came into being at a difficult time but through the effort of Jonathan, especially in electoral reforms that allowed the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and his concession of defeat as an incident, showed the President’s exemplary spirit of sportsmanship.

    Recalling Jonathan’s declaration that his ambition was not worth a drop of any Nigerian’s blood, Sambo said Jonathan’s action had put Nigeria firmly on the global map of democracy.

    All the ministers commended the leadership style of President Jonathan as they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

    The Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Awal Bappa, predicted that Jonathan would return to office in 2019 following the footsteps of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who returned to office decades after they were heads of state.

    According to her, the only difference will be that Jonathan would wait only for four years rather than decades before coming back.

    Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), concurred with Bappa that Jonathan will indeed be back to office as president “soon”.

  • Buhari can’t fix eight years rot overnight, says Obasanjo

    Buhari can’t fix eight years rot overnight, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient with the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Obasanjo said the expectations are enormous, but advised Nigerians to accept the fact that what was destroyed in the last eight years cannot be fixed overnight by Buhari.

    He expressed the confidence that the Buhari administration would “perform,” adding that Nigerians now have  a “ new opportunity” to make the country work.

    Obasanjo, who quit party politics to assume the position of a statesman, spoke yesterday in his Abeokuta residence at the Presidential Hilltop Estate, where he hosted Southwest women leaders.

    The women leaders, including the Iyaloja – General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu – Ojo, were led by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson.

    The former President noted that the new opportunity is God – given, adding that the “good things” about the next administration is that the man that would head it, Buhari, is neither “a greenhorn nor a novice” in governance.

    According to him, Buhari was once in the saddle, even if it was under a “different circumstance” and would use his experience to navigate the country to the right direction.

    Obasanjo alluded that Nigerians are quite clever and good followers when one is honest but difficult to manage or lead as soon as a leader begins to practise “cover up” or try to play “ostrich” on them.

    He said that there was a very high expectation about the in-coming government to sort things out quickly for  Nigerians,  but also added that there is equally a high level of goodwill locally and internationally in its favour.

    The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman urged Buhari “not to be frightened” by the enormous expectations and the daunting challenges of the country.

    According to him, Buhari should take the right steps within the next three months of being sworn in when Nigerians are watching and counting to see what would be done to better their lot.

    He advised Buhari to be open to Nigerians, and not take them for granted, praying that Nigeria and Nigerians would not miss this opportunity God has provided to get the country out of trouble.

    Obasanjo said: “When you met me before the elections, there was a very important issue you discussed with me. I raised the issue with the concerned authority and I got a reply that it would be addressed, and I am sure the issue has been addressed.

    “All you have mentioned again here today, we must all look at it together. The situation was like this when I took over in 1999; no light, no fuel, but it didn’t take us so long before the issues of light and fuel were resolved.

    “There’s something very important that I observed – the incoming President has a lot of experience; he’s not a greenhorn. It is not as if he hasn’t been into power before, he is experienced.

    “He knew what we did to turn things around, even when we were there together during the military regime; we did it together, and it was as a result of our performance that we were invited to do it again.

    “What I would say is that we should all put our minds at rest. He’s someone that would perform but we must exercise patience, ýbecause what has been destroyed for eight years can not be undone overnight.

    “Like the Chinese proverb, ‘the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step’, it is not only first step but first step in the right direction because if you took a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the destination.

    “Let’s give Buhari some time; let’s support him with prayers and relate with him with support. Like you’ve said, it’s everybody’s duty, not only those who have governed before; all of us are keen about Nigeria.”

    Earlier, Mrs Lawson, who lauded Obasanjo for his fatherly role in Nigeria, urged him not to stop advising the incoming administration.

    She said Nigerians are in  agony – over fuel crisis, unemployment and insecurity, among others – and urged the former President not to abandon  Buhari in the onerous task to make Nigerians proud again as two good heads are better than one.

    “So, Your Excellency, we believe that you still have a lot to offer from your wealth of experience and we know that you will honour us.”

    “We pray that you will finish what you have started, now that you have ensured that a government, which you know will take care of the masses, has been elected,” Mrs Lawson said.

  • Obasanjo loses younger sister

    Obasanjo loses younger sister

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo‘s younger sister, Madam Adunni Oluniola Eweje-Obasanjo, is dead.

    The late Madam Eweje-Obasanjo, commonly referred to as Mama Eweje, died last Tuesday at an Ota private hospital after a brief illness. She was 76.

    Obasanjo broke the news yesterday when Southwest women leaders visited him in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The women were led by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson.

    The delegation, which includes the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu – Ojo,  prayed for  Obasanjo.

  • Buhari must get his act right in three months – Obasanjo

    Buhari must get his act right in three months – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday said Nigerians have a ” new opportunity” in the in – coming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari to make the country work for the better again.
    He spoke at his Abeokuta private residence on Presidential Hilltop Estate, when women leaders in the Southwest visited him.
    Obasanjo who noted that the new opportunity is God – given, said the “good things” about the next administration is that the man that would head it – Buhari, is neither “a green – horn nor a novice” in governance.
    According to him, Buhari was once in the saddle before, even if it was under a ” different circumstance” and would use his experience to navigate the country to the path of right direction.
    He noted that Nigerians are quite clever and advised Buhari to be honest and truthful with them, saying he should not do “cover up” or try to play “ostrich” on them.
    He said that there is a very high expectations about the in-coming government to sort things out quickly for Nigerians, but also added that there is equally a high level of goodwill locally and internationally in its favour.
    The former Chairmain, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) urged Buhari “not to be frightened” by the enormous expectations and the daunting challenges of the country.
    According to him, Buhari should take the right steps within the next three months of being sworn – in when Nigerians are watching and counting to see what would be done to better their lots.
    He prayed Nigeria and Nigerians would not miss this opportunity Good has provided to get the country out of a jam
    Earlier, the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Alaba Lawson, who lauded Obasanjo for his fatherly role to Nigeria, appealed to him not to refrain from offering quality advice to the in – coming administration.
    She said Nigerians are in agonies over fuel crisis, unemployment, insecurity among others and urged the former President not to abandon Buhari in the onerous task to make Nigerians proud again as two good heads are better than one.

  • Buhari gets Obasanjo’s think-tank’s proposals

    Buhari gets Obasanjo’s think-tank’s proposals

    I think tank established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to study critical areas of the economy and make recommendations to guide the incoming government yesterday submitted its report to President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari.

    The committee, which was established four months ago under the Centre for Human Security of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, studied five key areas – education, power, the economy, security and infrastructure.

    The head of Buhari’s media team, Mallam Garba Shehu, told reporters that the Vice Chairman of the committee and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, presented volumes of the report to Gen. Buhari during a brief ceremony at Buhari’s private office on Lobito Crescent in Wuse 2, Abuja.

    He said former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom Dr. Christopher Kolade, who was head of the Power Committee, gave various stages of the proposed power sector development plan to include, short term, medium term and long term solutions.

    Shehu said under the short term solution, the plan seeks to raise power generation to 10,000 MW within a short period, adding that “the whole idea was that Obasanjo set up his own think- tank with the aim of carrying out a study on challenges facing the country in the five key areas. The study was commissioned four months ago so that the outcome will be made available to the incoming administration after the election.

    Shehu quoted Gen. Buhari as appreciating Obasanjo and his team for their effort, describing their intervention as a great impetus for the incoming government.

    Gen. Buhari, he said, regretted that the out-going government that is supposed to give him tips on how to take-off has done nothing so far and thanked Obasanjo and his team for their gesture, assuring them that his administration will seek their advice as time goes on.

    After the meeting with the president-elect, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Centre for Human Security of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, said the centre had been working on some critical areas of the economy to help the incoming government.

    He said: “The centre sent a delegation of those who’ve been involved with the preparation of those policy documents to talk to the president-elect and get him to appreciate what is being done to help his administration.”

    On how the president-elect received the report, the professor of Geography said: “He was very happy that we’ve been thinking about how to help him hit the ground running and he expressed his appreciation for what we’ve been doing”.

  • Obasanjo, Buhari, Gowon, others attend Jonathan’s last Council of State meeting

    Obasanjo, Buhari, Gowon, others attend Jonathan’s last Council of State meeting

    … Ex- president arrives 40 minutes behind schedule

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among former Nigeria leaders that attended Tuesday’s Council of State meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    However, the former president entered the Council Chamber venue of the meeting at 12.10pm, about 40 minutes behind schedule.  The meeting started at 11.30am after the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Other former Nigeria leaders that attended the meeting are – the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    Tuesday’s meeting will be the last under the outgoing President Jonathan.

    The state governors at the meeting are – Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Ramalan Yero (Kanuda), Sarieke Dickson (Bayelsa), James Ngilari (Adamawa), Tanko Almakura(Nasarawa) and Gabriel Suswam(Benue).

    Others are – Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau) Liyel Imoke(Cross River), and Acting governor of Taraba State.

    Kano, Kogi, Oyo and Yobe States were represented by their deputy governors.

    The Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and former Chief Justices of Nigeria including Muhammadu Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Idris Kutigi were also the meeting.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and the Chief of Staff to the President, Jones Arogbofa also attended the meeting.

    Opening Christian and Muslim prayers were said by the governors of Cross Rivers and Kaduna respectively.

     

  • Seven reasons Jonathan, Obasanjo fell apart

    Seven reasons Jonathan, Obasanjo fell apart

    • How ex-president’s men became victims

    A core issue, which accounted for the strain in the relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and his erstwhile political godfather, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was the alleged maltreatment of some loyalists of the former President in government and in the hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this piece, YUSUF ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, examines the politics of the cold war and the ‘sacrificial lambs’. 

    The nation’s presidential election has been won and lost but those who survived its intrigues knew that it was not an easy battle. The peak of the battle was the cold war between ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan. While the two leaders engaged in make-believe that all was well, they were firing at each other under the table. At a point, they spoke in parables for only the wise to decode. There were allusions to ‘motor-park’ touts.

    But the war claimed its casualties too. All those associated with Obasanjo, who crossed the shooting range or strayed into the range, were fired.

    The beginning of the intrigues

    The crisis of confidence between Jonathan and Obasanjo started manifesting in 2011 but it reached a crescendo in 2013 with what a presidency source described as a “satanic” letter by the ex-President.  A reliable source said when the relationship was getting sour, Jonathan once summoned the courage to confront Obasanjo for allegedly undermining him. Jonathan had accused Obasanjo of allegedly being behind the rebellion of the G-7 governors in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But Obasanjo denied the allegation and assured Jonathan of support.

    The source gave seven reasons on how the two leaders got to an ‘irreconciliable’ stage in their relationship.  The seven issues are:

    • Rejection of some ministerial nominees and chief executives of departments and agencies from the South-West from Obasanjo

    • Alleged refusal of Jonathan to consult Obasanjo on key policies and decisions of the government to sack some heads of parastatals linked with the ex-President from the South-West

    • Disagreement on the leadership of PDP at the national level and in the South-West, especially the sack of Obasanjo’s loyalists like ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ex-Governor Segun Oni, and Bode Mustapha

    • The rise of G-7 and ultimate defection

    • Obasanjo’s allegation of Jonathan’s administration of lack of direction, especially on anti-graft war.

    • Use of international fora to write off the administration of Jonathan

    • Second term aspiration of Jonathan.

    The source added: “Obasanjo’s disagreement with Jonathan started from the ministerial nomination. The ex-President sought input into nominations from the South-West but Jonathan restricted him to Ogun State. He said Obasanjo cannot single-handedly nominate ministers from the South-West when there is PDP structure in place.

    “The ex-President was also not happy that the Jonathan administration does not consult him on all policy issues, decisions of the government and strategic appointments. The ex-President felt the President had been hijacked by those he did not want in government.

    “One of those who allegedly offended Obasanjo in the past was the outgoing Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim. His appointment was done on merit and without consultation with Obasanjo. Even at that,  Anyim personally went to meet Obasanjo and sought forgiveness in whatever manner he had offended the ex-President. And he said he had forgiven Anyim.

    “But Anyim was said not to have changed as he allegedly bared his fangs on Obasanjo’s loyalists. For instance in removing Otunba Olusegun Runsewe as the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), the President was made to believe by the Office of the SGF that only an Executive Director was being replaced.

    Although Jonathan has respect for Runsewe, he had approved his removal in error before he got to know what went wrong.

    “The emergence of Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of PDP and the attendant crisis in the party deepened the crack in the relationship between the two leaders.

    And the hijack of the South-West PDP structure from Obasanjo pained the ex-President. But with anti-second term campaign for Jonathan, it was strategically important for the PDP to restrict Obasanjo to his only vote at the PDP National Convention for presidential primaries than to allow him control the party structure and wreak havoc.

    “Intelligence reports on Obasanjo’s remarks during public lectures or seminars at international fora, including some in the USA, upset the presidency.

    The victims

    When two elephants fight, the grass, they say,  suffers. Some of the victims of the cold war between Jonathan and Obasanjo were a former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former National Vice Chairman(South-West) of PDP,  ex-Governor Segun Oni;  the party’s former National Auditor, Sen. Bode Mustapha; the immediate past Chairman of the of the Board of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Lt. Gen. Martin Luther Agwai; ex- DG of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; ex-DG of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa; and the immediate past Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye,  a son of Maj-Gen. J.J. Oluleye who was a former Federal Commissioner (Minister) of Finance.

    Some of these party leaders and government functionaries were removed from office based on pettiness, the fear of the unknown, grand plan for Jonathan’s second term in office, sheer ethnic politics,  sycophancy, dummy security alarms and anti-Obasanjo’s hatred by some forces in the Presidency. A reliable source said: “Like the President said he was caged for 16 years, he realised the truth in some instances after such public officials had been sacked. Take the case of ex-DG of NBC, Yomi Bolarinwa, he was on top of the game before he was sacked for allegedly being disloyal. Unknown to the President, Bolarinwa’s successor, respected Emeka Mba, had served two-term tenure as the DG of the National Films and Censors Board. Bringing him to NBC would amount to third term in the same capacity.

    “The hate advertisements and documentaries on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, during the just-concluded campaign and the belated intervention of the NBC pointed to why the change in the commission was effected by the Office of the SGF.”

    How did Obasanjo’s loyalists get into trouble?

    Agwai

    Born on November 8, 1948 in Kaduna State , Agwai was appointed  Chief of Army Staff by Obasanjo in 2003, and elevated to the rank of full-star general and Chief of Defence Staff in 2006. After retirement in 2009, he was engaged in a number of international assignments until he was appointed the Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) by President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2012.  In November 2013, he became SURE-P Chairman following the “sudden” resignation of Chief Christopher Kolade. But Agwai ran into trouble when he delivered a “toxic” lecture at the 78th birthday of Obasanjo in Abeokuta.

    In the lecture titled, “Imperatives of a national security framework for the development and progress of Nigeria”, Agwai warned against military’s involvement in politics and added a clincher that Nigeria needed a “change” of government when he knew the 2015 poll was a few months away. The same slogan

    of “change” was the campaign gimmick of the then opposition party, the All Progressives Congress(APC). The presidency saw his lecture as the hand of Esau’s and the voice of Jacob. He was given the boot while abroad.

    Otunba Segun Runsewe

    Otunba Segun Runsewe was the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). He was removed by Jonathan under controversial circumstances while on official assignment in Dubai selling the tourism potential of Nigeria. A tourism ambassador par excellence, Runsewe carved a niche for the nation in the international community as he bestrode everywhere with a peculiar pan-Nigerian identity. The floating of the Nigerian Tourism Village during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa remains unequalled till today. Before the NTDC assignment, this Ijebu man was appointed a former Executive Director of the National Orientation Agency by Obasanjo. He was also saddled  with the responsibility of being the chairman of the Media Committee of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM) in 2003.

    But some forces in the presidency were uncomfortable with what was described as his “increasing profile”. Loved by the President but his replacement was technically done as the forces in the Office of the SGF made Jonathan to realise that there was a vacancy for an Executive Director (ED) in NTDC as if the ED will work under Runsewe. Jonathan wielded the big stick without knowing he was firing a friend.

    Dr. Oluwole Oluleye

    A son of a former Federal Commissioner of Finance, Gen. J.J. Oluleye, who was a colleague and friend of Obasanjo in the military administration of Murtala-Obasanjo between 1975 and 1979, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye was the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in 2003. He was humiliated out of office because he resisted the cabal seeking to perpetrate fuel subsidy fraud. Some influential marketers wanted to be paid for fuel not imported and Oluleye allegedly refused to cooperate in spite of the glaring offer of bribery cuts for him by the fuel subsidy cabal. Apart from serving as a member/secretary of the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee in 2010, luck smiled on Oluleye again when he was appointed as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Development Technology Fund (PTDF) on May 15, 2013. A source said he ran into an ethical trouble again in 2014 for rejecting plans to use part of PTDF funds to finance the governorship project of PDP, which led to the election of Governor Ayodele Fayose. There was also a phantom report on his alleged “closeness” to the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC. For standing aloof on Operation Conquer Ekiti by PDP, Oluleye was disengaged by the presidency.

    Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa

    Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa was appointed Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in March 2007 and held the position till May 2013. He was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan in hazy circumstances, which no one has explained to him today. But sources said Bolarinwa’s exit, eight months to the expiration of his tenure, followed alleged issuance of TV licence to the opposition, which led to the birth of TVC.  Bolarinwa was also allegedly removed due to the conspiracy that the South-West has had enough of its days in NBC. But the presidency might have given him the boot to hijack the agency for the bitter campaign, which dotted the 2015 poll.

    Oyinlola

    Following consensus by PDP governors, ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was elected as  the National Secretary of the party at its  National Convention in 2012 but because of his closeness to Obasanjo, some bigwigs in the party, especially ex-National chairman of PDP, Alh. Bamanga Tukur, were uncomfortable with him. As an Obasanjo man, some loyalists of the President felt Oyinlola might be an obstacle to the second term aspiration of Jonathan. These forces took undue advantage of the law and ensured that Oyinlola was sacked by the Federal High Court, Abuja in January 2013 for being improperly elected to the position.  Rather than take the laws into his hand, Oyinlola appealed the judgment  of the lower court and won. But all attempts to reinstate him into office were frustrated by Bamanga Tukur, who in turn was forced to step aside in 2014. He later followed the honourable path by defecting to the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    Imbued with courage, Oyinlola does not pretend as a die-hard loyalist of Obasanjo. In a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, he made it known that he has no other name than loyalty. He said: “I wish to respectfully state that I do not go back on my words, just like I don’t abandon my friends, associates and leaders, no matter how hard the situation might be. That explains why as a state governor, I remained very loyal to my boss, former President Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, even when he had some issues with the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.  I wish to respectfully recall very respectfully, that Chief Obasanjo never made any attempt to move against me on account of these differences.

    The same spirit today drives me as I maintain my loyalty to former President Obasanjo, who may, or who may not have any relationship with your government. It was that same spirit that made me insist on your approval of my candidature, in your capacity as national leader of the party and president, before I agreed with my brother-governors request in 2012, to contest for the position of PDP National Secretary. I should like to state that I am not a fair-weather fellow. To my friends, the spirit is very similar to marital vow.”

    Segun Oni 

    An anointed political son of Obasanjo from the way he emerged as the elected Governor of Ekiti State in April 2007, after losing his mandate in October 2010, Oni remained a committed party man until  March 2012 when he was elected the National Vice Chairman South-West of the PDP. However in line with a grand plot to relegate Obasanjo to the background in the PDP in the South-West, Oni was removed from office by the Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee of the PDP as a result of a court ruling that nullified the party congress that led to the emergence of Oni. Instead of allowing the judicial process to run its full course to the Supreme Court, the Bamanga Tukur team employed impunity to its fullest.  Oni had no choice than to leave  the PDP for APC where he was elected as the  Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC.

    Chief Bode Mustapha

    A former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Bode Mustapha lost his seat in the National Working Committee of the party following a court ruling that his election was improper. The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisah Metuh, who tried to justify Mustapha’s removal, said:  “Report of the Decision of PDP NWC on Ogun State Exco & South West Zone Exco; Following protracted dispute on the Ogun State and South West Zonal Exco of the Party, a series of suits were filed on the matter, which include FHC/L/CS/1248/2011, FHC/L/CS/282/2012 and FHC/L/CS/347/2012.

    “The Peoples Democratic Party is to rectify its records by deleting the name of Chief Bode Mustapha as National Auditor and replacing the same with Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju.

    “The National working Committee of the party met on 14th February 2013 and gave careful consideration to the issues and decided that, in line with respect to the rule of law which is a cardinal principle of the present administration, the PDP as a law abiding party, will immediately comply with the said judgment. This is all the more so that same has not been set aside or reversed by any superior court.”

    Mustapha later defected to the APC alongside other Obasanjo’s loyalists.

    Reaping the benefits of anti-Obasanjo’s agenda

    Although some strategists of President Goodluck Jonathan might disagree, the gradual alienation of the South-West and the removal of public functionaries from the zone from public office created a political liability for the President during the general election. Out of about 50 choice appointments, the South-West had only two or three. At a stage, Jonathan took his destiny in his hands by embarking on shuttles to traditional rulers in Yorubaland, but it was too late as the Yoruba were not ready to condone his explanation for sidelining the principle of Federal Character in the 1999 Constitution. The APC latched on the costly mistake of Jonathan’s administration and the rest is history today.

     What becomes of these Obasanjo’s men?

    Now that a new government is in place, the question, is what becomes of these Obasanjo’s men. They were part of the sacrifices made to effect the sweeping change now in the country. Some of them were harassed out of office, displaced, and even subjected to deprivation for no fault of theirs.

    Conquering fixation

    letes. How do you engage the car in the reverse gear yet expect the vehicle to move forward. We have refused to change the administrators with their warp ideas.

    Coaches and players now hobnob with the Presidency; a distasteful development that has made impossible a smooth transition in the Eagles, with the NFF going against its wish for the team. I digress!

    Today, Taiwo Awoniyi is the hottest striker in the country. Awoniyi was a marvel to watch at the last U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets won. He has taken his prolific goal-scoring act to the flying Eagles, scoring goals with aplomb, in the absence of Kelechi Iheanacho.

    Rather than draft Awoniyi to the Dream Team VI after completing the Flying Eagles assignment, such mundane talk of him being over-used were proposed by our coaches and their ilk without asking Awoniyi if he could cope with both roles.

    Those who advanced that argument must cover their heads in shame because it has taken Awoniyi’s profound scoring skills to hand Nigeria the qualification ticket for the All Africa Games. Awoniyi reminds me of Henry Nwosu. His knack for scoring goals brings back memories of the late Rashidi Yekini.

    Iker Casilas was here in Lagos for the 1999 World U-20 Youth Championship, which Spain won by beating Japan, then handled by the White Witch Doctor, Phillipe Troussier 2-0, inside the mainbowl of the National Stadium in Lagos. Casilas is still Spain’s goalkeeper, 16 years after breaking into the team as a 20-year old.

    The advantage of playing outstanding players, such as Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Eze, in the senior category is that they will remain there for a longer time. Besides, others at the grassroots would be buoyed to give their best, knowing that they too could be like them, if they improve on their game.

    The argument of former internationals, such as Victor Ikpeba, that Awoniyi would be ripe for the Eagles in two years time is bunkum. This is why Ikpeba didn’t leave the Eagles with a testimonial game, in spite of his remarkable contributions, including winning the Africa Footballer of the Year award in 1999.

    Players get the impetus to live their dreams in a football team through their skills, not age, especially the gifted ones. We must strive to reduce the average age of the Super Eagles from its unacceptable 32 to what others have – between 21 and 28. The game is now being played by young and enterprising players, who are hungry for glory. Little wonder the avalanche of new players that come into prominence after every big competition.

    Need I waste space to list boys who hit it big time as teens, not forgetting the king of soccer, Pele? Whenever I watch Manchester United play with De Gea in goal, I cry. Why? In 2007, a Nigerian ‘kid’ Dele Ajiboye, was adjudged the best goalkeeper at the U-17 World Cup which Nigeria beat Spain 2-0.

    It would be ludicrous for any bookmaker to draw a comparison between Ajiboye and De Gea today, more than eight years after. Do you see my pain?

    Who blinks first?

    By the time you are reading this column today (baring any last minute changes) , Stephen Okechukwu Keshi would have returned to his Super Eagles job at humbling terms. Keshi’s return has been controversial, with the NFF chiefs’ body language not favourably disposed towards working with him.

    This cat-and-rat setting may be the Eagles’ biggest problem, if Keshi plays the ostrich. Unfortunately, NFF men are not ready to tell us the terms of reference in Keshi’s deal, based on a certain clause which forbids either party to make such disclosure.

    But, I’m damn sure the wall of secrecy will eventually collapse and details of the contract, will be subject of beer parlour talks – when the coach fails to get his salaries and entitlements promptly. NFF men must tell us the dos and don’ts in Keshi’s contract now not when he infringes on any. Nigerians deserve to know what would happen to the coach if the Eagles fail to fly.

    I don’t see how an all-knowing Keshi will allow his list to be vetted, yet he refuses to carry the can when the team fails. I also don’t see how Keshi will work with any document given to him by the technical study group and the technical department and yet we expect him to take the credit for victories arising from such group initiatives. Keshi isn’t a team player.

    I also don’t see how Keshi will stop John Mikel Obi from playing for the Eagles even when he is a bench warmer at Chelsea? Will Keshi forgive Sunday Mba et al to give the Eagles the desired fillip to fly higher? Will Keshi swallow his pride and play the functional 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 or even 4-3-3 to bring out the best of our players who shine in their European teams which play these formations?

    Does the NFF have a plan B when Keshi’s tantrums begin, especially if, the federation fails to pay the coach promptly. Would the NFF be right to sanction a man whose fees they haven’t settled, irrespective of the reasons given for the delay?

    I pray that Keshi becomes a team player in this new dispensation. He must do away with those busybodies around him who run their mouths in the media. They are the ones who told us that seven countries were chasing the Big Boss to train their teams. Where are those teams today? These lickspittles shouldn’t tell us in the future how certain powerful men in the fading government begged the coach to stay.

    Keshi has been jobless. Countries touted to be chasing him picked others even though he denied applying for those jobs. Keshi signed a contract he tagged ‘slavish’. I hope he remains humble because he thrives in having power without control mechanism. This NFF board has provided such control mechanisms. I hope the Big Boss can submit himself to control.