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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad (38254 Views)
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Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by molotov1: 3:38pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
deletrue: Some of you think we are as yeye and directionless as you are. Look, if not for my age, I would have sworn that God should punish you completely today. Are you happy the way Nigeria is? Can you point any individual who Obasanjo is friendly with among his followers after he left power? You dembest. Have you not been told about that money? All the explainations offered by analysts and NNPC management that it is likely that there is misunderstanding and miscalculation as to how NNPC money is channelled or appropriated, and that the money may not be stolen. you're definitely typing from a laptop. We are talking NEWS not history. Money or no missing money , you got that ? OBJ is history ! who has been in power in the last 4 years missing money or no missing money ? Was it OBJ ? Who's is at the helm ? During the scandals and coverups of the previous months and years Was it OBJ ? Was Nigeria a paradise before OBJ's letter ? Madam ( you reason like a woman) I don't care who gave you laptop, you need to think before you open that black hole again and transfer it to post. 2 Likes |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Nobody: 5:08pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
Seun: When Nigerian journalists want to make you look bad, they may add grammatical errors to your quotes. They've done it to me before. www.nairaland.com/1564461/nairalanders-mum-obj |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by biafrasun: 5:41pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
obj is finished |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by agabaI23(m): 5:45pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
“In bourgeois politics, the ongoing development is called ‘realignment forces.’ In the process, those who have been excluded from the ‘come and chop’ policy of the PDP are now being asked to choose their place at the table in case the APC takes over power in 2015,” Mr. Falana said.https://www.nairaland.com/1564397/apc-not-progressive-party-femi We have been saying this but you guys won't listen!!! 1 Like |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by LoveDecay(m): 6:36pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
tiwasiaife: Gej has never lost a battle. He is like David. Surely they must gather in Apc but God will surely fight 4 gej. This man has never shed a blood upon all the power he has a president. Why iyabo was able to muster courage to write this was cos she lives were integrity counts and has been thought that gud name is better than wealth. Happy are the peace makers 4 they shall knw peace. Technically ! Gej has never fought a battle. All I see, at this point is women fighting for pres. Of the most populous black nation. Shame woooo Jonathan, shame on you wooo, woo wooo shame ! |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by callmenow: 6:49pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
The fallout from this fracas is huge. APC has been riding high because of the perceived weaknesses in the Jonathan administration orchestrated by OBJ. For the man on the street, who has been wondering what is going on, now knows that OBJ has been going on for far too long in the wrong direction. Jonathan has been distracted by OBJ throughout that this comeuppance from Iyabo has dealt OBJ a knockout blow. Jonathan can now focus on our refulgent economy as well as attack APC and the faceless people behind them. Lets face it, APC has no manifesto, apart from anything but Jonathan, because he is not 'one of them'. APC's momentum has now been punctured. Their showcase visit to OBJ today is no longer what it was meant to be. How APC wishes they could distance themselves from OBJ, with the collateral damage. Mark my words, OBJ and his foot soldiers will not be rushing to offer their irrelevant views in run up to the 'make or break' election which is what the politics is about. Hope this is clear enough for you. folahann: I have read a lot of posts on this thread and I have seen a lot of people mention APC. Some called the thread an Anti-APC thread. Someone even mentioned APC as a loser because of this letter. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by callmenow: 7:07pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
It is duplicitous to attack @deletrue for a well reasoned argument. Jonathan has been in power for over three years now. He did not set Nigeria back in the these preceding four years. What any reasonable person in Nigeria and or the western world, expected from Jonathan is to recruit able and capable managers, administrators and technocrats to manage Nigeria and improve Nigeria incrementally by say 3-10% each year, which the available statistics concurs with. The quality of his ministers so far has been second to none. Sanusi is not a Jonathan appointed administrator. He inherited him from the incompetent Yar Adua. He tried to sack him for running a parallel government, but the unnecessary outcry by Sanusi's people forced him to wait until his five year tenure expires next year. NNPC fraud was trumpeted by APC, Sanusi, Tambuwal, Jonathan haters and OBJ. These five leprous fingers of a hand of evil are now experiencing a confusion of their own making. None of them is talking of missing money any longer because Jonathan insisted that the reluctant Sanusi and his co-travellers should reconcile the figures with the agencies concerned. As I write, no money was missing. Yet Jonathan was labelled, 'clueless' 'bleep' by simpletons in this forum. Are you an APC sympathiser who is experiencing a 'tough' week? molotov1: |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by molotov1: 7:44pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
Beautifully put, I like the way you make your point and state 'your' facts devoid of sentiment and emotion. However, no matter how well you think a government has performed or 'not set the country back" as you put it, CORRUPTION or the lack thereof remains the benchmark for progress in the developing world. Nigeria, as we speak is taking a massive hit from corruption at unprecedented scale. Nigeria is being eaten alive by it or wouldn't you agree ? Isn't there anything that can be done (by the presidency) to curb it ? OBJ like it or not, like others of his ilk are dinosaurs, clinging to last the last strands of relevance they have left. Although he may have heated up the polity with his epistle, there is very little he can achieve with it on the long term. Whether he's a hypocrite or not, OBJ will be judged by the contents and intention behind that letter, true or false. A more honest person would have written, "Dear GEJ, I have ruled, I've made my mistakes. However, you are presently at the controls, please tell us what are your plans are and WHERE ARE YOU TAKING NIGERIA TO ?" OBJ isn't the threat here, let's not try to use a sentimental approach (like others are trying to do) to obfuscate that fact. callmenow: It is duplicitous to attack @deletrue for a well reasoned argument. Jonathan has been in power for over three years now. He did not set Nigeria back in the these preceding four years. What any reasonable person in Nigeria and or the western world, expected from Jonathan is to recruit able and capable managers, administrators and technocrats to manage Nigeria and improve Nigeria incrementally by say 3-10% each year, which the available statistics concurs with. The quality of his ministers so far has been second to none. Sanusi is not a Jonathan appointed administrator. He inherited him from the incompetent Yar Adua. He tried to sack him for running a parallel government, but the unnecessary outcry by Sanusi's people forced him to wait until his five year tenure expires next year. NNPC fraud was trumpeted by APC, Sanusi, Tambuwal, Jonathan haters and OBJ. These five leprous fingers of a hand of evil are now experiencing a confusion of their own making. None of them is talking of missing money any longer because Jonathan insisted that the reluctant Sanusi and his co-travellers should reconcile the figures with the agencies concerned. As I write, no money was missing. Yet Jonathan was labelled, 'clueless' 'bleep' by simpletons in this forum. Are you an APC sympathiser who is experiencing a 'tough' week? 1 Like |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by ignis: 7:54pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
Seun: When Nigerian journalists want to make you look bad, they may add grammatical errors to your quotes. They've done it to me before.Lol... I trust naija journalists. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by kolexy(m): 8:25pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
ceo4eva: To be Honest, I doubt Vanguard can publish such a letter against OBJ if it's not true. Considering the background of Vanguard (South-West) Newspaper and the Courageous way they have continued to defend this story, It's likely to be TRUE. We all know OBJ is NOT a Saint, even though APC remains supportive of him. There are some contents in the letter that need to be addressed especially Corruption, but don't forget GEJ is/was a product of OBJ. I guess he's annoyed because he no longer controls and dictate to GEJ. GEJ on his own part has refused to respond, thereby further annoying OBJ. Why is OBJ ranting over his daughter's 12-page letter when he wrote an 18-page letter to GEJ?... Is it about where the owner of Vanguard comes from? It will interest you to know Sam Amuka the owner of Vanguard is Deltan. I heard Ibori bought it from him sef. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Longeria(m): 8:52pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
valuka: How I wish that I can appear and disappear.After killing Tinubu, Amaechi, Buhari, Tambuwal, Elrufai, Fashola, Femi Kayode then you GO AND DIE. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Longeria(m): 9:15pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
eye4eye: Lie from pit of hell. I forsee vanguard going out of business for their stupidity.Just DO THE NEEDFUL "GO AND DIE " |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Longeria(m): 9:20pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
wirinet: I am having a hard time relating the headline to the story. Where is the story on why Iyabo gave up on her dad?She said that since she realised that her father can't change his evil, she did the NEEDFUL. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Samabu07(m): 11:00pm On Dec 21, 2013 |
ceo4eva: To be Honest, I doubt Vanguard can publish such a letter against OBJ if it's not true. Considering the background of Vanguard (South-West) Newspaper and the Courageous way they have continued to defend this story, It's likely to be TRUE. We all know OBJ is NOT a Saint, even though APC remains supportive of him. There are some contents in the letter that need to be addressed especially Corruption, but don't forget GEJ is/was a product of OBJ. I guess he's annoyed because he no longer controls and dictate to GEJ. GEJ on his own part has refused to respond, thereby further annoying OBJ. Why is OBJ ranting over his daughter's 12-page letter when he wrote an 18-page letter to GEJ?...Silence is really a weapon. OBJ back down from active politics...wonder what might be on President Bush's mind |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by callmenow: 3:12am On Dec 22, 2013 |
@Molotov1, the fight against corruption is not a presidential problem. It is a national problem. Nigeria was the epitome of corruption during the OBJ era, such that the likes Alamaiyesa (sic), Orji Kalu, Tinubu and Ibori treated their states like their personal fiefdoms. It got so bad that Foreign powers felt the need to intervene and arrested one or two elected miscreants (what do that say about the electorates of Nigeria?). Nigeria then became a byword for corruption. During OBJ era, Ministers used to go to UK and the US with bags of dollars, even special assistants like Andy Ubah, travels with millions of dollars in cash. Stella Obasanjo used to float around in millions of dollars. Yet during Jonathans last visit to UK, I was also in the UK for a trade conference. Jonathan who always suffers from travel sickness could not hold down his food, so was excused. So he was a no show. There was no birthday party for him either. Yet the ministers were drinking water and orange juice at the venue, which I found to be strange. I felt completely humiliated by two other incidents at the venue of Jonathan's meeting with Investors at London Hilton (Park Lane). On arriving on the second floor, I noticed a heated argument between the High Commissioner of Nigeria (Dr Tafida) and the hotel staff about payment for the event. I had thought the event was being organised by an independent think tank (HIIC). Yet Tafida did not have the money or cheque to tender but promised them he will pay them the money within the week. Then during the meeting with Nigerians in diaspora at 5pm at the same venue, Tafida pleaded with Dr Okojo Iweala to increase their funding, because they do not have any money. Apparently at the top, every Naira must be accounted for and reconciled every month. I spoke to two ministers, including communication who confessed that they can do anything but promise money for any investor. So something is working at last, but not fast enough for the average citizen. I knew Andy Ubah before he became a billionaire. He was just a hustler. Yet he can afford to buy all the the monarchs in Anambra Toyota Jeeps. All his girlfriends mansions. This administration is a work in progress. I will tell you something. I campaigned for Buhari during the last exercise. Jonathans main crimes at the moment is his reluctance to award oil wells to his so called godfathers, which was OBJ ways to share the wealth of the nation. Jonathan's main beef with Amaechi is that he ceded oil wells which Amaechi claims for Rivers to Bayelsa. Nigerians covets rumours and gossips which is why the average person is confused with distorted nonsense from the likes of Fannny Kayode.I sincerely hope that Jonathan will attack corruption until it hurts. molotov1: Beautifully put, I like the way you make your point and state 'your' facts devoid of sentiment and emotion. 1 Like |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Samland: 7:54am On Dec 22, 2013 |
Unnn...i pity dis country 4rm ungreatful politician. Remember GEJ scop us den dat he has no shoe & we all voted 4 him. Now, wat he doesnt have? Yorubas' will never appreciate the great Baba Obasanjo until he left. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by stineb1: 8:32am On Dec 22, 2013 |
cramjones: I know the Obasanjo family very well..and a personal friend to Iyabo...I a number of personal things she allegedly said are true (not all). However, I don't think she wrote them, someone that knows some of these details may have fabricated it. Iyabo is a well trained Yoruba woman and the last thing she will do is to ridicule her father in public.keep quiet you don't know jack about them.You are only playing diplomacy here. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by seangy4konji: 12:30pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
how it take concern me |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by iamdsam: 1:43pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
I wonder if you're a Nigerian. This letter wouldn't have been made public if it was that personal as you think. The major issues that caused for this letter is about Nigeria as a whole. We need to get up and fight against our corrupt leaders who aren't ready to change but wanna remain in power forever if possible. chi 3280: Well who cares? The story is already getting boring. Its their personal affair and their problem. I have my own problems with my daughter to deal with. Let sleeping dogs lie. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by iamdsam: 1:48pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
But his flaws affected and is still affecting Nigeria negatively till date. chi 3280: So many hypocrites on this thread. Accusing Obasanjo of being uncouth but you're worse than him. He's human just like everyone and has his own flaws. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by iamdsam: 1:57pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
Whether this letter was written by Iyabo or not, it's very clear that Nigerians need to stand up against our corrupt government. 1 Like |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Nobody: 4:13pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
I have indeed confirmed that Iyabo wrote the letter. "Honor thy father and mother so that your days may be long", I don't support her on this one. May God heal her broken heart...She is such a brilliant and honorable woman and no one is above mistakes 2 Likes |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by FXElixir: 5:09pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
OK OK THIS PROGRAMME SUX, EVERYBODY ON THIS THREAD GET A LIFE AND 1 Like
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Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Baron75: 5:33pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
cramjones: I know the Obasanjo family very well..and a personal friend to Iyabo...I a number of personal things she allegedly said are true (not all). However, I don't think she wrote them, someone that knows some of these details may have fabricated it. Iyabo is a well trained Yoruba woman and the last thing she will do is to ridicule her father in public.Do you listen to what you're saying? You shouldn't assume that she didn't write it. If she's not the writer of the letter, she would have granted a live TV interview to deny it to everybody's knowledge. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by curtain: 6:05pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
Read Ex-Senate President, Ameh Ebute’s letter to OBJ on december 21, 2013 at 10:08 pm in special report SENATOR AMEH EBUTE, CON (FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT) 31/32 MANGAL PLAZA, AREA 11, GARKI, ABUJA 08090880656 18thDecember, 2013 RE: BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE Preamble As discerning Nigerians who found the so- called “before it is too late” letter from Chief Olusegun Obasanjoto President Goodluck E. Jonathan, GCFR, ill-conceived, we decided to deconstruct the content to see if it meets the minimum demands of altruistic advice, given the writer’s pedigree as a former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an elder statesman. In doing this we were not unaware of the several public commentaries and reactions from a cross section of Nigerians, some of which posit that Nigerians should ignore the messenger and take the lessons from the message giving the critical weight of the issues raised. Much as this position may appear germane, it needs to be understood that whereas it is possible to separate the messenger from the message, it is nevertheless impossible to comprehend the meaning of a message without reference to the motive or intention of the messenger. The veracity and/or reliability of the message in the context of the motive could only be drawn if the messenger is altruistic in his motive. Since Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s one time military Head of State and former President, claims to be speaking from the rostrum of high moral rectitude because of his “overt” love for Nigeria, it is only apposite that in deconstructing the contents of the letter, without prejudice to the pleas of several public commentators, we glean the moral integrity and character qualifications of the messenger as a test of the reliability and value of the message. This is because whether we like it or not Chief Obasanjo’s vituperations have not only over-heated the polity but brought the nation to anaemic convulsion. Chief OlusegunObasanjo’s ill-conceived letter no doubt is an open assault on the seat of power in Nigeria. For a former President who has unimpeded access to the President to nakedly dance this danse macabre in public on grounds that former letters written by him had not been replied only affirms what Theodore Roosevelt describes as the dangers of lack of morals when he said “to educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society”. Whether former President Obasanjo, has now become a menace to the Nigerian political landscape or otherwise would be better judged by discerning minds. But to us, he has merely epitomized the prescriptions of Noel Coward: “the higher the building the lower the morals”. Further as Thomas S. Monson would remind us, “the surest test of an individual’s integrity is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect”. Hence, in developed democracies, former Presidents hardly ever comment publicly on the policies and actions of their successors, evidently in deference to self-respect. They seek and utilize latent channels to communicate and offer their advice. And if we take to heart what Mark Twain said about character, “a man’s character may be learned from the adjectives he habitually uses in conversation,” then given Chief Obasanjo’s deleterious history of publicly criticizing heads of government in office that ended in ominous consequences, Nigerians should be circumspect and be resolved in one accord to defend our hard- won democracy. As an obsessed letter writer, Chief Obasanjo may unwittingly view his tirades against sitting governments as building a legacy to be celebrated when he departs; he does not see the effects of debasement, deformation, destruction, disunity, hatred and defamation in his actions. Selfless leaders with character build peace, build harmony, build unity and build love. However, it appears our erstwhile President has lost it all. Like what Billy Graham said, “When character is lost, all is lost”. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by curtain: 6:11pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
Leadership in its broad spectrum is fraught with complex challenges, and nations that are progressively built always find patriotic leaders come around to contribute positively to governance and not indulge in self- adulation. Let us now evaluate the three (3) year old administration of President Goodluck Jonathan vis-a-vis Chief Obasanjo’s cumulative eleven years in office in the context of the five (5) prerequisite capacities of a President of the Federal Republic which Chief Obasanjo identifies, to wit: Leadership of the ruling party; Headship of the Federal Government; Commander-in-Chief of the Military; Chief Security Officer of the Nation; and Political Leader of the country. a. Leadership of the Ruling Party: It is ridiculous that Chief Obasanjo, a self- acclaimed democrat, should accuse President Goodluck Jonathan as the one responsible for the lingering crisis in PDP, which pre-dated his emergence as the leader of the party. President Jonathan’s alleged crime is his refusal to publicly denounce those craving his return in 2015. Chief Obasanjo further accused President Jonathan of clandestinely dictating the actions of the party Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. These unsubstantiated claims posit a curious but intriguing parallel and calls for self-examination on the part of the Owu Chief. When in 2002, before INEC officially signaled political activitiesfor the 2003 elections, posters and propaganda materials adorned all nooks and crannies of Nigeria for Chief Obasanjo’s re-election, how many of such people did he publicly denounce? Even when it became open knowledge in 2005 that Chief Obasanjo surreptitiously attempted to use his cronies to insert in the output of the National Political Reform Conference a clause to elongate his tenure for a third term, since he thought it was only he who had the single inalienable right to rule Nigeria for life, did hereunder any public denial? Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has no moral credentials to accuse President Jonathan of responsibility for the travails of the PDP. These crises, as earlier noted, predate the incumbent leader of the party. Perhaps to refresh Chief Obasanjo’s memory, let him be reminded that Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s recourse to forming his own political party (PPA) to provide a platform for his nominee to contest the 2007 elections was a direct outcome of Chief Obasanjo’s arm-twisting military style to force him out of the PDP. The party eventually lost Abia State. Even as a presidential candidate, Chief Obasanjo reportedly lost his own ward and a number of South-West states in the 1999 elections. As the “emperor” of the Nigerian state, his back-handed defiance of democratic electoral process brought victories to PDP in some South-West states which could not endure. We eventually saw the so-called PDP victories upturned through the judicial process because, when he was the leader of the party, Chief Obasanjo could not secure defensible victories. No period in the history of our fledgling democracy has witnessed a higher turnover of PDP National Chairmen than the eight year tenure of Chief Obasanjo as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. First, soon after the late Chief Solomon Lar steered the PDP to victory in the 1999 Presidential election, Chief Obasanjo booted him out of office. And of course the well-respected frontline contributions of the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi to the electoral fortunes of Chief Obasanjo had deservingly positioned him to succeed Chief Solomon Lar, yet our maverick democrat not only frustrated the elder statesman out of the chairmanship of the party but also ensured his untimely retirement from politics. Even Chief Barnabas Gemade, whom Chief Obasanjo backed to thwart Chief Awoniyi, was soon to be replaced as Chairman by Chief Audu Ogbeh, a very outspoken, purposeful and visionary leader, who craves for a peaceful and progressive Nigeria. Chief Ogbeh was reportedly forced to resign as Chairman after having lunch with President Obasanjo. His offence was that he assumed the gauntlet to advise President Obasanjo to investigate the security challenges in Anambra state that threatened the life of Governor Ngige at the time. Interestingly, all these chairmen were elected for definite tenure as prescribed by the PDP constitution. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by curtain: 6:38pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
As Chief Obasanjo bestrode the PDP like an intimidating colossus, electoral decency was jettisoned, internal democracy trampled upon and good conscience buried as he dealt ruthlessly with all perceived enemies regardless of democratic culture and ethos. The following casualties of his high-handed leadership are dead and living testimonies: late Sen. Chuba Okadigbo; Sen. Ayim Pius Ayim; Gov. Peter Odili whom he used, milked and dumped; Gov. Joshua Dariye; Gov. Orji UzorKalu; Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Gov. Gbenga Daniel; Dep. Gov. Mukhtar Shagari; Gov. Attahiru Bafarawa; Gov. D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha; etc. Therefore if upholding the rule of law and the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party is basis for accusation of the Presidency masterminding the PDP crisis, we are not convinced that President Jonathan has conducted himself in an unpresidential manner to attract these unwarranted innuendoes in any way. It bespeaks a deep-sounding hollowness for Chief Obasanjo to make allusion to the fact that the crisis in the PDP is premised on whether President Jonathan should exercise his constitutional prerogative to contest elections in 2015. He is clearly on a protectionist mission, to create sufficient disaffection within the PDP to facilitate the emergence of his preferred candidates. Nobody is against the aspirations of anybody to any elective office. Indeed, that is the beauty of democracy, where people freely chose to contest and are voted for. But why must an elder statesman embark upon such an unprovoked voyage of denigrating the person occupying the most exalted office in the land simply to make a point for his preferred candidates to take over? It must be unequivocally stated that neither Chief Olusegun Obasanjo nor his cohorts can determine the will of God; nobody can play God in the affairs of men, and in the affairs of our country. Chief Obasanjo after being a military leader for 3 years, tried shamelessly to mastermind the extension of his constitutional two terms tenure as President to a third one (that is, after being head of government for 11 years, he wanted additional 4 years) until Nigerians cried foul. That he now attempts to stop President Jonathan from contesting for another constitutional term of four years, shows sheer wickedness and mischief. If Chief Obasanjo’s grand-design and deception to hoodwink Nigerians to endorse his phantom third term could not “spill the blood of Nigerians”, the call for the exercise of President Jonathan’s legitimate right to contest for a constitutionally guaranteed second term, if he accepts it, will not spill blood in this country. Or is Chief Obasanjo alluding to a grand plan by some elements in the country to cause mayhem should President Jonathan contest the 2015 elections? We find these comments very disturbing especially in the light of repeated public threats by one Junaid Mohammed. Chief Obsanjo not only knows the position of the law for making very reckless comments but also has experienced first- hand the consequences of such inflammatory comments to incite the populace. We make bold to say here that President Jonathan has handled the affairs of the PDP and the nation with far greater inclusiveness and tolerance of dissent than Chief Obasanjo ever did. This broad minded and accommodating disposition of President Jonathan is further extended to even the ever-critical and often virulent opposition. b. Headship of the Federal Government It is perfidious for Chief Obasanjo to set the National Assembly against President Jonathan in discussing corruption. Let it be stated from the onset that we do not endorse corrupt practices in any form; in fact it is our position that President Jonathan should deal decisively with all proven corruption cases regardless of whose ox is gored. However, it is common knowledge that corruption attained monumental heights under the regime of Chief Obasanjo as President. Chief Obasanjo presided over the proceeds of Nigeria’s oil and gas for six years, without transparent accounting as the de facto Minister of Petroleum Resources. To perfect his plan, he appointed his kinsman and protégé Engr. Kupolokun who had retired, to serve as the Group Managing Director of NNPC. Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue was helplessly at the discretion of the duo. Where was accountability and transparency? It will be recalled that the CNPP petitioned the EFCC to investigate Chief Obasanjo as President for an estimated unaccounted sum of $133 billion in oil revenue from 2000 to 2006, the period he was the de facto Minister of Petroleum Resources. We are inclined to think that part of the reasons for Chief Obasanjo’s double- standard romance with President Jonathan is the latter’s audacity to reopen up investigations, earlier ordered by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua into the Haliburton bribery scandal. If Chief Obasanjo’s former Personal Assistant, Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju, could be interrogated over allegations of millions of dollars bribery scam, it is more like the hand of Jacob and the voice of Esau. So where does Chief Obasanjo derive the moral qualification to accuse another government of corruption? When a sitting President influences major business tycoons who do business with government to launch and build a multi- million naira library in his village in his name, what does that amount to? When a sitting President, Chief Obasanjo, suddenly becomes a shareholder in Trans National Corporation of Nigeria Plc, a diversified conglomerate, owners of Transcorp Hilton and several oil and gas assets, what does that amount to? It should be in the normal course of business for a President. What accounted for the sudden transformation of the Ota farm, which had become the habitat for reptiles and weeds before Chief Obasanjo became Presidentin 1999? Or are Nigerians quick to forget the missing N2.8 billion under the watch of Gen. Obasanjo when Gen. Buhari was the Federal Commissioner of Petroleum Resources? |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by curtain: 6:56pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
While Nigerians accuse the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida of institutionalizing corruption, it is common knowledge that Chief Obasanjo planted the seed of corruption and elevated it to unimaginable heights. On the claims by Chief Obasanjo that the economic performance indices are dangerously sliding, that is nothing more than a self-serving statement. Even the International Monetary Fund adjudged the Nigerian economy to be performing relatively better, with a GDP at 6.75%, the highest growth rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. And we are convinced that the Jonathan administration is doing everything to make the observed economic growth all-inclusive in the light of the policies and strategies being initiated to tackle the problem of unemployment and poverty eradication. Nigerians of good conscience can all attest to the relative improvement and stability of electricity supply; the recent unbundling of PHCN and licensing of electricity distribution companies will no doubt enhance electricity supply to consumer I in the coming months and this will invariably positively impact both the manufacturing and small-medium scale businesses. Also, the resuscitation of collapsed infrastructure in the Aviation sector by the Jonathan administration has been a source of pride to Nigerians. The hitherto moribund rail transport system for which Chief Obasanjo pumped so much billions has been successfully revived. Nigerians now travel from Lagos to Kano by train. God, in his divine grace, blessed Chief Obasanjo with incomparable opportunities of leadership to drive the fortunes of our country to enviable heights but the evident result is that the progress of the nation is impeded as he left only relics of collapsed infrastructure, monumental corruption, debased national psyche and a disillusioned polity. The myriad of problems and challenges bequeathed by the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo have made the work of nation building inexorably difficult for his successors. The Jonathan administration is not only way ahead of the Obasanjo one in terms of recorded and visible achievements measured against the funds deployed but also has had positive impact on the lives of the citizenry. c. Commander-in-Chief of the Military To all discerning public observers, there is no argument that President Goodluck Jonathan has employed the adroit strategies and demonstrated statesmanship in the handling of critical national challenges, deserving of a democratically elected President. Because he knows his primary responsibility to the people is protection of their lives and property, President Jonathan’s style has not only assisted in sustaining our fragile unity as a country but has made him no less a Commander-in-Chief. Given the destructive tendencies that characterized Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s rule as President during which period human rights abuses and defiance of the rule of law were the norm,we are at a loss to unravel the import of Chief Obasanjo’s assertions in this respect. As stated earlier, Chief Obasanjo’s impulsive decisions culminated in the destruction of communities, killing and maiming of innocent lives by the Nigerian military at the least provocation. That was the case of the sleepy town of Odi in Bayelsa State, which was completely destroyed because of the activities of a few miscreants that led to the death of some Police officers. So too was the case of Odioma town also in Bayelsa state. Today, the Federal Government is to pay N37.6 billion in compensation to the people of Odi, as ordered by the Federal High Court, for that tactless act of a President. Similarly, Chief Obasanjo deployed heavy military arsenals to trouble spots in Benue state and destroyed, maimed and killed innocent people in Zaki Biam town, and other towns in Katsina-Ala LGA and Logo LGA. Whereas the military deployed by Chief Obasanjo never went after any of the suspected criminals but to kill innocent citizens, President Jonathan’s humane characteristic ensured that no innocent citizen was deliberately affected by the activities of the military. The purpose being to curb the Boko Haram insurgents, Nigerians are relieved that about 500 insurgents are to be arraigned. A remarkable difference in strategy and tact! Nigerians are also not in a hurry to forget how the apparatus of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was deployed in the name of fighting corruption to hound perceived political opponents. The selective approach in the fight against corruption made a mockery of the entire anti-corruption exercise as loyalists were shielded and enemies persecuted. And so who has indeed deferred to the sacrosanct role of the military in the best interest of the nation, a Chief Obasanjo who recklessly deployed military might to kill innocent Nigerian souls or a President Jonathan who deploys tact in dealing with restive spots to minimize collateral damage, even in the light of a far more sophisticated, hitherto unknown security outfit, the Boko Haram group? Interestingly, when Chief Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau state, he gave no respect to the preservation of the democratic institutions. In contrast, when the Boko Haram inspired insurgency in some parts of the north unabatedly threatened the peace and stability of the country, President Jonathan went on a wide range of consultations with all stakeholders before declaring a state of emergency. Hence today, all democratic institutions in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, the frontline states where President Jonathan declared a state of emergency have remained functional. A true democratic practitioner! d. Chief Security Officer of the Nation It is pathetic that Chief Obasanjo’s sense of history could be so easily demented. Without extending the searchlight to other trouble spots, we wish to recall the ineptitude and abysmal failure of Chief Obasanjo’s strategies in managing the militancy in the Niger Delta area. Even when the activities of militants brought the economy to knee-jam and oil production plummeted from 2.5 million barrels a day to 700,000 barrels a day, his barking bull strategies brought no solution to the crisis. It took the sagacious strides of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua/Jonathan, working with critical stakeholders, to make peace without spilling blood and today Nigeria is the better for it, with greater capacity to meet government obligations because of enhanced revenue profile from increased foreign receipts. So where is Chief Obasanjo’s pedigree in managing crises? 1 Like |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by curtain: 7:02pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
Another gory absurdity is Chief Obasanjo’s allegation that President Jonathan is training snipers where Abacha trained his killer squad and that there are about 1000 high profile politicians on a watch list. For an allegation as weighty as this we are sure Chief Obasanjo knows the import of the law for such blatant insinuation that qualifies for libel. Chief Obasanjo should know, if he does not already, that the onus of proof lies on him. We demand that the relevant security agencies like NSA, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Police, should immediately take decisive appropriate action to investigate this very sensitive national security issue and make their findings public. The security services must carry out this investigation with dispatch because we suspect that there is a grand plan to assassinate some high profile Nigerians, in the context of this very dangerous allegation, to intimidate and coerce President Jonathan to abdicate his right to contest in 2015. To us it merely shows that our aging Owu Chief certainly deserves more rest at Ota to avoid going beserk. However, Nigerians will continue to hold Chief Obasanjo accountable for the several high profile unexplained killings for which no culprits have been unearthed years after. Notable among the list of those assassinated without conclusive investigations under Chief Obasanjo’s watch were Chief Bola Ige, Obasanjo’s first Minister of Power and later Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Chief Marshall Harry; a former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party; Chief Aminasoari K. Dikibo, also a former National Vice Chairman of the PDP; Chief Funsho Williams, a former PDP governorship aspirant of Lagos state; ChimereIkoku and a number of other unexplained deaths. In contrast to Chief Obasanjo’s alarmist averments the most dreadful security challenge today remains the Boko Haram sect which, in itself, devolved from Chief Obasanjo’s dereliction of his constitutional duty to guarantee the secularity of the Nigerian state. And of course we need to be mindful of Chief Obasanjo and his ilk whose appetite for uprisings and revolutions akin to the Arab Spring seems to be growing proportionately daily. Chief Obasanjo should be reminded that if Nigerians were to agitate for a revolution, and particularly the Ghanian type, Obasanjo and his likes would not be spared the wrath of Nigerians. e. Political Leader of the Country No President of Nigeria under our democratic dispensation has been more Nigerian in disposition and conduct than Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan. It is unfortunate that Chief Obasanjo could degenerate to fan the embers of ethnicity in such an insidious and reckless manner. For a man who claims to be a detribalized Nigerian to infer that no other minority in this country could be entrusted with the leadership of the country, because of his myopic assessment and conclusion that President Jonathan has not performed to satisfy his whims, evinces clearly a chronic obsession of hate. But we must remind Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria is not an enterprise of an oligarchy and that the days of hegemonic rule are gone. Chief Obasanjo should extricate himself from the garb of narrow mindedness and pettiness and be broad in his perceptive values. Nigeria belongs to all, majorities and minorities alike. On the fight against corruption, we observe that the agencies tasked to deal with corruption must be given a free hand to work. If the EFCC is hamstrung to perform its assignments creditably then we shall be concerned. Today neither the EFCC nor ICPC is pressured and tele-guided to pursue perceived enemies. The reported concern, raised by the Central Bank Governor, over unremitted accruals of about $49.8 billion is being reconciled by a joint team of NNPC, FIRS, DPR and CBN. Chief Obasanjo should have shown a more statesmanlike conduct and decorum before dancing to the public gallery. As it has now been revealed, with the false alarmist, CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanisu publicly apologizing, the joint reconciliation exercise has confirmed that only $10.8 billion is yet to be reconciled even as the exercise is still on going. Clearly, the initial claim was a false alarm orchestrated to incite the general public against President Jonathan, and Chief Obasanjo also demeaned himself to join the foray of dubious whistle blowers. |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by curtain: 7:11pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
Till date no Nigerian, excepting Chief Obasanjo, has seen a presidential reception organized in honour of Major Al Mustapha. Whereas Chief Obasanjo thinks that every sitting President obstructs the course of justice as was his own mercurial practice, President Jonathan has continued to show maximum resistance to interfere with the judicial process. It is only in the imagination of Chief Obasanjo that the Presidency celebrated Major Al Mustapha’s release. This is understandable since he must loathe Al- Mustapha for his incarceration by Abacha for life imprisonment. What Does Chief Obasanjo Want? In all these posturing of sainthood and angelic patriotism, what does Chief Olusegun Obasanjo aim to achieve? We state that Chief Obasanjo’s letter is at best self- serving and holds no grain of patriotism and national interest. Through this blatant charade of promoting falsehood, innuendoes and untruths, Chief Obasanjo attempts to raise a mob action against President Jonathan, a crafty follow-up to the rebellion he used the G 7 governors he planted in the states to stir up crisis in the PDP in order to stop Jonathan in 2015. Since he considers time to be running out he needed to commence the campaigns for his anointed protégés. For Chief Obasanjo’s project to succeed, President Jonathan must be destroyed first, in the court of public opinion. Nigeria is not a fiefdom in the stranglehold of Chief Obasanjo. If he chooses to squander his privileged opportunities to offer leadership to this country, and to think he can rule Nigeria like his private estate from everywhere, he has failed. Must Chief Obasanjo continue to breath hard on President Jonathan because he claimed he made him President? Even so, that is not a stand- alone act because Chief Obasanjo himself was a beneficiary of God using Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and Gen. Abdulsalami to make him President in 1999. Even his emergence as Head of State in 1976 was the sacrifice of Gen. Danjuma and others. These people never publicly dictated to him how to govern Nigeria. Most importantly, they never did anything to bring him into public odium despite the numerous problems his administration created for the polity. While we know that politics is a game of numbers, we would also hastily add that no one person can make a President; it is the people of Nigeria that can decide who should become their President, as God wills. If Nigerians think President Jonathan has delivered on his electoral mandate, they can freely entrust him with another mandate and that cannot be subject to the whims of any Chief Obasanjo. We therefore urge President Jonathan to remain focused, undeterred and committed to delivering on his transformation agenda. Chief Obasanjo having succeeded in persuading his cronies to stir unending controversy within the ranks of the PDP, and indeed the nation is certainly on a mission to destroy the party, truncate our hard won democracy and plunge the nation to cataclysm for his personal gain. We therefore call on the leadership of party to take decisive action against him as nobody is greater than the party. Chief Obasanjo to all intents has demonstrated more anti-party activities than any one else in the history of PDP. 1 Like |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Rexyl(m): 8:08pm On Dec 22, 2013 |
Chief OBJ and his daughter Iyabo |
Re: Iyabo Obasanjo: Why I Gave Up On My Dad by Okikiade(m): 1:16am On Dec 23, 2013 |
[color=][/color]absolutism from curtain! He who has brain, "let him or her thinks". |
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