Although there are reports of ongoing secret peace talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, that process may have been punctured this morning as the presidential adviser on media matters, Reuben Abati attacked Obasanjo for saying Jonathan was incapable of tackling the Boko Haram menace.
The latest tantrum fired at the former General, is in direct contrast of the earlier directive by Jonathan that his aides should not talk back at the former on issues relating to national interests.
The aide this morning in a torrential salvo through the social media, described the former president as a confused man, who has continue to give different views regarding government’s handling of the sect’s onslaught against the state.
An adamant Obasanjo who had stated that he would continue to bare his mind on the affairs of the nation in an interview he granted to CNN, accused the federal government of using excessive force but little or no dialogue in addressing the Boko Haram issue.
He told CNN that: “To deal with a group like that, you need a carrot and stick. The carrot is finding out how to reach out to them. When you try to reach out to them and they are not amenable to being reached out to, you have to use the stick.”
But the presidency did not take OBJ’s accusation softly, as it replied the comment through Abati.
The presidential aide via his Twitter handle this morning carpeted the Ota farmer for his inconsistent stand on the matter.
In four different tweets this morning, Abati said, “In Nov. 2012 in Warri, former President, Obasanjo accused federal government of being soft on Boko Haram. He recommended the Odi solution: genocide.
“In Jan.2013, OBJ tells CNN Government should adopt a carrot and stick approach to Boko Haram. Genocide & dialogue? Where exactly does he stand?
“OBJ’s position on Boko Haram = Contradiction and Confusion writ large.
“One report says OBJ is recommending a multifaceted approach to Boko Haram. This govt certainly doesn’t need a lecture on that!
“Jonathan administration has shown creativity & purposefulness in handling the BH challenge. Hence, the progress we witness.”
Jonathan and Obasanjo are believed to be engaged in a cold war that has seen both leaders disagree on a number of issues, especially on security and economy.
While Obasanjo believed that his action on the Odi crisis solved the problem, the president in a live media chat said the military option that was applied did not totally address the crisis.
Analysts say the face-off between both men is due to the 2015 general election. Although the president is yet to openly declare intention to run, Obasanjo, who allegedly wants to ensure the emergence of a Northern presidency, is working round the clock to stop Jonathan’s bid.
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