‘’ I do not know how monster come to be Only that they are in defiance of place, time And pundits’’—Prof Wole Soyinka
After the ex- president Olusegun Obasanjo’s open letter to the incumbent President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of which clearly attested to the fact that, Jonathan is no more in the good book of Obasanjo.
The opposition Party [APC] used the opportunity of logger headedness and acrimonies between the godfather and godson, to woo Obasanjo, by supporting them in the coming presidential election or even to join the party. After all, in politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends, but permanent interest. And since APC believes that wonders shall never end, and that anything can happen. The Party big wigs went to Ota, to visit their erstwhile arch –political enemy.
All Progressive Congress [APC] leaders had lengthy discussion with Obasanjo, laughing and jeering together, Obasanjo hailed and encouraged them, and said ‘’ APC has taken a right decision to save Nigeria’’. Honestly with Obasanjo assertion, many Nigerians believe that he had completely jettisoned his godson [Jonathan] and that, if he would not join APC, he would certainly support the party presidential candidate against Jonathan in 2015.
But few days ago, precisely January 1st 2014 Jonathan surprised Nigerians, as he surprised the citizens exactly two years ago [January 1st 2012] when he callously increased a liter of fuel from 65 naira to 141 naira. But unlike two years ago, Jonathan this year surprised package was his visit to his estranged godfather at Ota, his home town of Ogun state.
And as far as am concerned, this should be an eye opener to the APC leaders, that Obasanjo and Jonathan may have misunderstanding, but not withstanding Obasanjo and Jonathan are not yet a parallel line. APC should understand that misunderstanding is inevitable in politics, even in other area of human Endeavour, and that misunderstanding is always for a better understanding.
APC hobnobbing, winning and dinning with Obasanjo, is like to rub body and put on cloth, wet with petrol and playing with fire. Obj, that I know , is a leopard that can never change its spot, is a conservative to the core and he will die a conservative , Obj is a die-hard reactionary and so he will continue to be. Progressives, revolutionary ,rapid change , welfare of the people ,rule of law, constitutionalism, respect for the wishes of the people, free and fair election etc , were never in the political dictionary of Obj, and they can never be.
APC must not count on Obasanjo advice or support. Like never before, APC should distance herself from Obasanjo, like east to the west or south to the north. In terms of politics Obasanjo is very cunning, complex and incomprehensible. In fact Baba Iyabo as fondly called, is a puzzle too difficult to solve, a river to deep to swim, an ocean too wide to cross, a mountain too steep to climb, a nut too hard to crack.
Without any fears of contradiction, from the inner part of Obasanjo stomach, his wish is to see APC collapse and disorganize. Obasanjo, will prefer APC to be weakened than to help strengthen her. Ebora Owu, will prefer to tear it down, than to help in building her up. APC, APC, APC, how many times, did I call you? Beware of Obasanjo.
Lest we forget, when Obasanjo, at the inception of his first term,[ between 1999- 2003]. He had problem with some Northern PDP leaders and National Assembly in particular. But the Alliance for Democracy Governors rolled in to support Obasanjo and they became his ardent supporters. And as 2003 general elections was knocking on the door, Obasanjo promised, to support them in their bid to continue for their second terms in office. But alas! Obj himself instead to fulfill his promise , he used every means to chase them out of office and crookedly installed his godson and party, to dominate the political scene of southwest , except Lagos, where the Governor[ Asiwaju Bola Tinubu] was so lucky , having been smarter than his colleagues .
In spite the fact that, Senator Chuba Okadigbo was member of the same political party [PDP] with Obasanjo. But because Oyi of Oyi, as Okadigbo was fondly called, was a radical that too hard to bend. Obasanjo allegedly connived with other Senators to remove him, as the Senate President on trump- up charges. And supported the emergence of Adolphus Wabara . But after Obasanjo had extorting enough of Wabara political advantages in the House of Senate, Obasanjo canvassed for his removal from office as Senate President ,based on flimsy excuse of 50million naira bribery allegation, and ordered his arrest and detention.
Chief Obasanjo in 1999, picked Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who was already won as the Governor- elect of Adamawa state, to be his vice –President . And in 2003 Obasanjo begged Atiku to allow him, re-contest for the second terms in office and with promise to handover for him, in 2007 as the president- elect. And when Obasanjo won to continue for his second terms in office, he waged constitutional and political war against Atiku, in fact Atiku was frustrated to leave the party [PDP] he co-founded to join the opposition party [AC].
And when Obasanjo failed to stop Atiku from contesting under the banner of AC, Obasanjo through his puppet, Prof Maurice Iwu midwife the election and monumentally rigged it against Atiku. But Amazingly ,in 2010 Obasanjo put an end to the cat and mouse relationship, between him and Atiku, and persuaded Atiku to return to PDP ,and poised to support him actualize his tallest dream. Atiku, who was the toast of Opposition party from the nooks and crannies of the country, foolishly and ignorantly left on Obasanjo behest. But to Atiku utmost chagrin, at eleventh hour to pick the ticket, Obasanjo apparently turned his back against Atiku, derided and publicly mocked him. And since then Atiku had been like a pond, that stand still, politically he could hardly go front nor move backward.
Truly, Obasanjo hates Jonathan, but what he wants is another candidate within the fold of PDP and in the light of the present situation, that may not possible. Then, Obasanjo would still prefer Jonathan, and he will never support any candidate from APC no matter what.
APC should distance herself from Obasanjo, because as at now, Obasanjo is like an elephant in the garden of APC and it will not leave, without causing destruction and devastation. It’s better to let him go now. Honestly, it’s better.
Bello Destiny Paul 07036611633
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