The ideal elder statesman rarely has cause to criticize a government or leader in public.Certain standards are expected of men of such calibre who can get audience with anyone they desire to voice out their concerns or grievances talk more one who is a politician.
General Olusegun Obasanjo Rtd has always been a statesman by virtue of having governed us twice.Politics or no politics.
He has made a go at every Government since he handed over to Shehu Shagari in 1979 with the exception of three.Two short lived ones: Ernest Shonekan's which lasted just 82 days, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar's which released and eventually handed over power to him and of course his as democratically elected President.Nobody can attribute his feud with the Jonathan Government to old age.Baba has always been Baba.
Judging by the strength of his criticisms and the enthusiasm with which they are carried out, people would jump over themselves to vote for this 'genuine' patriot if one problem didn't exist-Obasanjo has ruled us twice and score sheets do exist.
Lets take GEJ's weakest points-Insecurity and Corruption.I have always said it will be hard to win the war against Boko Haram alone.We need additional troops and arms from allies willing to help.These we have gotten but from unexpected sources.America cited human rights abuses by the Nigerian Military as its reason for refusing to sell arms to us.Nothing changed even after staking our reputation to abstain from voting in the Security Council Vote for a Palestine state to save it the embarrassment of using its Veto vote.As far as the Human rights abuses ground goes,a detailed Memo containing reasons just might refer to Obasanjo's Odi and Zaki Biam massacre; an unprecedented annihilation history will never forget.OBJ didn't end the Niger-Delta Militancy that plagued us during his reign,Yar'adua did in a most praiseworthy manner.And on insecurity, we saw how he tackled issues of a far lesser magnitude.
I agree all the way with Gen Gowon when he described Obasanjo's criticism of the war against Boko Haram as highly irresponsible.
OBJ can go on as many elaborate blabbing sprees as he wants about foreign reserves, economic indices, GDP and what not but learned as I may be,I am no different from the common man in one regard; all these don't add up right to me if kids didn't get quality education in the best environments, masses quality health care at the right rates or there was a reduction in our unemployment rate,Increased number of motorable roads,Steady water and power supply.And talking about Power supply,This is a man who squandered trillions of taxpayers money in the name of Improving power supply.The multi-billion naira embezzlement allegations labeled against Chief Tony Anennih; his then Minister of Works and 'Mr Fix it' were never looked into.
We didn't just get here overnight.People like Obasanjo while wallowing in their self-inflicted 'Selective amnesia', let that fact slide easily.He played a key role.
Governor Sule Lamido referred to him as a father and it makes you want to take his allegation of GEJ trying to perpetuate himself in power seriously.If that is the case, then he will fail just like his father.
How Obasanjo forgot about his failed 3rd term agenda before making those accusations still beats me.Clearly he isn't bothered about Moral rights because he appears to just want to talk and only God knows why.He had his chance to change the system and he didn't.
By tearing his PDP membership card in public, he also tore away his elder statesman status because clearly he lost all respect.There couldn't be a more despicable exit.
On the flip side, it could just turn out to be a blessing.A time for sober reflection and repentance.A time to study how the real statesmen act; how the Shehu Shagaris, Abdulsalam Abubakars, IBBs, Alex Ekwuemes, Yakubu Gowons behave.They never stoop so low as to fight with their kids.Men who have never given us any 'Hollywood' tales about Presidents training snipers without concrete proof.Men who understand how embarrassing it would be to be labelled a threat to National Security or to be invited by the SSS for Questioning .I doubt if he would have tolerated all the President has if they were to switch roles.
A father should know his place.
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