Recently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of paying lip service to the fight against corruption. He basically indicted the President of fraud and venality. And then there was, in tow, the venerable Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Lamido Sanusi, who claimed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation diverted $50bn, being crude oil sales proceeds between January 2012 and July 2013. These are serious allegations. And now, former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s ‘bomb’ to the President!
What we have in that 18-page treatise is, amongst other things, a window into Jonathan’s Presidency and the problem and challenges confronting Nigeria. So far, a good number of commentators have been critical of Obasanjo. While some do not think he was the right person to make such remarks, others pointed to a hidden agenda on the part of the former president. And of course, there are those who have argued that he had no right to level such criticisms. Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd.), Annkio Briggs of the Ijaw Republican Assembly, and Chido Onumah, a public intellectual and PUNCH columnist, represent these three schools.
But of course, all the three patriots and three schools of thought got it wrong! Did Obasanjo lie? Well, we have no way of knowing this unless (a) there is a full-blown investigation by the National Assembly or other competent authorities; (b) Jonathan offers a line-by-line rebuttal; or (c) Obasanjo recants. But so far, the allegations appear valid; hence, we can infer that Jonathan’s actions have adverse national security implications. These acts can lead to the erosion of the nation’s fragile foundations and capable of fragmenting the state. These offences, if true, are prosecutable and impeachable.
When Obasanjo’s letter entered the public domain, my initial reaction, which was posted on my Facebookpage, was this: “Even amongst thieves and scoundrels there should be honour. There should be a code of conduct. But not for former president Olusegun Obasanjo who is now accusing President Jonathan of corruption, ineptitude, marginalisation, laziness, etc. The failed has no right accusing the falling of incompetence.” Now, having read the entire treatise and having taken the time to reflect further, I must admit that I was wrong.
I was mistaken in thinking that Obasanjo had no right and should not have criticised the President. I was wrong to think that because his was a failed Presidency he had no right to criticise a failing President. Over the years, I have written more than my share of essays on Obasanjo. But on this matter – either in terms of purpose, method of delivery or substance, he was right, he is right. At the very least, he has the right to say whatever needed to be said in order to save and safeguard our republic, for Nigeria to be pulled from the brinks.
Yes, I know. From now till eternity, millions of Nigerians will never forgive Obasanjo for what he did, and for the things he didn’t do during his last stint in office. His sins are too many to count. His presidency made the country worse, not better. But in spite of his failings and foibles, we cannot deny him the right to comment on the state of our nation. How he chose to do it is his prerogative. If there are 12 steps to political redemption, then, this letter of his is, perhaps, the first step.
We may criticise Obasanjo all we want, but should he have remained silent in the face of all that is happening in our country? No! Should he have ignored Jonathan’s deficits — seeing that the country was inching towards the abyss? No! He had to alert the nation to what was going on. He had to caution Jonathan to desist from his unpatriotic ways. Frankly, Nigerians should be grateful to Obasanjo for making public what many would have made private. Nigerians deserve to know what is going on in the dark and in the dark recess of the Presidency. Silence and secrecy carry exorbitant prices.
There are three questions I would like to ask Onumah, Briggs and Umar. First, was Obasanjo lying? Second, are the questions and concerns he raised pertinent to the survival of our country? And finally, if not Obasanjo, then, who: who should have raised the alarm regarding the path Jonathan was travelling? In a country where many are scared of the power of the Presidency, or where many have decided to keep quiet because of the possibility of contracts, appointments and other inducements – who, other than a handful of patriots like Soyinka and David-West, is out there cautioning President Jonathan? If Obasanjo wants to do it, well, so be it!
There are few Nigerians who understand Nigeria and Nigerians as much and as well as Obasanjo. Since 1967, he’s been a known figure in Nigeria. He knows where most of the bones are buried. He knows who did what, where and when and why. With his 18-page treatise entitled, “Before it is too late,” he is simply alerting us to the fact that the graveyards are multiplying and many more bones are being buried. In the end, I would urge Nigerians to read Obasanjo’s letter the way one would read historical documents: devoid of sentiments and or old wounds. Once this is done, they’ll feel sad for Nigeria.
The Jonathan Presidency is about the worst in the history of modern Nigeria. But he is not responsible for all that ails Nigeria. But what he should have done, he didn’t do; and the things he shouldn’t have done, he did and continues to do and in the process worsening the Nigerian situation. He could have been a better man, a better President. Sadly, he is not. At this point in time, his record is nothing but appalling; and his leadership uninspiring and unimaginative.
As I take a second and third look at Obasanjo’s “Before it is too late,” I cannot but conclude that this time, at least, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was correct in his assessment and allegations. Should the letter have been written? Yes! Does it belong in the public domain? Yes! Does it add value to our national conversation? Yes! Could it strengthen and deepen our renascent democracy? Yes! And please: Do not confuse the message with the message bearer. The truth is the truth no matter who says it and to whom it is directed.
PUNCH
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