Politicians, public affairs analysts and of course civil society groups spoke on diverse issues affecting the nation. There were many memorable quotes, but we whittled the list down to 10
“I want to thank former Governor Shekarau for what happened to him in Kano. What he did not know, which he may want to know today, is that he won that election with a very narrow margin, and if I had yielded to pressure, that narrow margin would have been changed. He didn’t know that somebody wanted me to talk to the electoral body, but I refused to do so.” — Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo confessing in his usual controversial manner that he was almost forced to rig the election that brought Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano into power in 2003.
“But let me just warn you that crossing the bar or becoming 80 sometimes means you are getting nearer the departure lounge.“I will get into the car park with you, but I won’t go into thedeparture lounge with you.”— Ex president Olusegun Obasanjo addressing former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme in the most humorous manner on his 80th birthday. The retired Military General had spoken on the inevitability of death on the occasion, and the need for the former vice President to take as priority all his family matters instead of spending time politicking.
“She’s playing Anambra state politics with her job and reputation. She is assuming to be god; but she’s not god!”— The Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas, Patrick Ifeanyi Uba accusing the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of using her job and reputation to play ‘Anambra State politics’.
“Is it by his pure water business that he’ll be able to come and help me. Everything the (Maduka) said about that story is false.”— The Managing Director of Capital Oil and gas, Ifeanyi Uba refuting claims by the Chief Executive Officer of Cosharis group, Cosmos Maduka that he offered him (Mr Uba) a lifeline when his business was at the edge of collapse.
“It is sad that with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s exposure and experience in government, he could describe the callous destruction of the innocent citizens and their property as a mark of strong leadership. Whatever Obasanjo says on an issue, we expect him to think it over, before making public statements.” —Coalition of Northern Patriots (CNP) lambasting former president Olusegun Obasanjo for berating the Goodluck/Sambo administration over security challenges currently facing the country, particularly the incessant attacks from the Boko Haram extremists.
“I am not inciting the public against the church and the mosque, but the congregation must demand explanation from their leaders. They must demand to know where they are getting the money. If it is not from the church offering, then it is from Abuja. All General Overseers must go to prison. If the revolution does not begin in the church, it cannot spread; if it does not begin in the mosque, it will not spread, because they control the population.” — Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and founder of Later Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare condemning some imminent men of God for acquiring private jets and exploiting their members.
“The truth of the matter is that PDP is terrified of the outcome of the merger talks. From the commencement of these talks, PDP has been having nightmares. However the truth of the matter is that these talks have the blessing of a significant chunk of the leadership of the PDP who, for the time being, cannot come out publicly.”— The National Publicity Secretary, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Alhaji Lai Mohammed lampooning the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its recent comment that the merger talks between ACN and CPC would hit the rocks, stressing that PDP is suffering from deep paranoia.
“This is the blunt truth. Abiola, a Yoruba southern Muslim, would have united the Northern and Southern Muslims that form the bulk of Nigerian electorate, which would have given the Muslims a clear majority always. Had the case been the reverse in favor of the Christians, no Muslim would ever smell Aso Rock as the president. -– Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Abubakar Gumi describing the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election as a great tragedy, adding that the move cost Muslims from the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria the opportunity to build an alliance that can transform Nigeria.
“That tells you the level to which government at federal, states and local governments levels have degenerated, as they were unable to lift a finger to right a wrong in our national life.” -– The national Secretary of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Peter Ameh, to Dr Madukwe Ukaegbu, recently calling on the need to rescue Nigeria from the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, stressing that the security situation in the country is getting worse and the economy, wobbling.
“In Nigeria, corruption has become the 37th state of the federation, growing in leaps and bounds and drawing its weekly and monthly allowances from the Federation Account. If the death penalty will address it, it’s okay because we have not reached the level the advanced countries have reached where they convert the death penalty to life imprisonment.” -– Lagos-based lawyer, Fred Agbaje supporting the recent call by the Arewa Consultative Forum that anybody found guilt of corruption should be killed, adding that if we feel that death penalty will put an end to or reduce corruption in our society, so be it.
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