In Defense Of Obasanjo's Explosive Letter To Jonathan

Let me be clear and very clear - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
in my opinion has his hand in Nigeria’s proverbial cooking jar.
Undoubtedly, as it is becoming obvious daily, history will judge him
for his role in Nigeria’s political quagmire and economic quandary.
Nigerians are all too aware of what transpired from the ignominious
regime of IBB to the current lack luster government of GEJ.
Nigerian unborn will tell you that our beloved country has not been
very lucky with visionary and revolutionary leaders that can change
the status quo of incompetence, low expectation, financial
misappropriation and rapacious greed.
Every Nigerian knows what is killing us as a nation and a people and
can very well articulate it!
In the last couple of days as OBJ’s open letter to GEJ hit the
newsstand, majority of Nigerians characteristically resurrected out of
their cocoon and blasted OBJ in one form or fashion. Rightly so, they
expressed their opinions. If OBJ is wise enough, he would take some
time to read the reactions of Nigerians and gauge the legacy he has
left behind. Maybe he still has some time for redemption!
In his article “Jonathan's 'Killer Squad' And Obasanjo's Amnesia-
Letter from the Pot to The Kettle” Kayode Ogundamisi wrote:
“Obasanjo is that man who betrayed every known good cause, he his
the cunning fox that would arrive when a war had been won and claim
victory, when it comes to 'playing both sides' OBJ is the master of the
game. Here is a man who punished his Yoruba people for
democratically rejecting his candidacy knowing fully well how evil he
could be…..Obasanjo will go down in Yoruba history as an 'akotileta' a
traitor and no matter what others see him for, a real Yoruba would
always place him in the darkest side of our history”.
Chido Onumah in his article “Obasanjo’s ‘Satanic’ Letter” said
(referring to OBJ) “in his warped thinking, Obasanjo must have
reasoned that his only option was to foist on Nigerians the very worst
amongst us; people so inept and incapable that after a while we’ll be
hankering after Obasanjo. Looking back now, that theory has worked
well as Nigerians now look with nostalgia at the Obasanjo era….But
we can say the same and even more about the two Obasanjo’s
administrations, 1976-1979 and 1999-2007.
"Obasanjo seems to have forgotten too soon his squabble with his
deputy, Atiku Abubakar, that made nonsense of governance, the
political assassinations (including that of Bola Ige, his attorney
general and minister of justice) during his macabre rule, the
massacres in Odi and Zaki Biam. The less said about corruption (who
could forget the wholesale pillage of our patrimony in the name of
privatization) the better. Obasanjo laid the foundation on which
President Jonathan is building and consolidating. He is acting out
the PDP playbook.”
On the other hand, there are few Nigerians that still hold very
favorable view about OBJ for his role in aggressively canvassing for
foreign investments in Nigeria, opening Nigeria’s ICT market, and the
way and manner he managed the Islamic north agitations for Sharia
laws. To these Nigerians, OBJ left something that Nigerians are
enjoying today knowingly or unknowingly.
After three days of archiving the OBJ’s letter in my hard drive, I
decided to sit down and read line by line so I can form an educated
opinion. My intention here is not to take sides but to think outside
the box.
I will let Nigerians judge the issues OBJ raised in his letter. However, I
like to state unequivocally that I respect OBJ for having the courage
to write such a letter to GEJ. To me, it shows he’s a man who is bold
enough to express his views without fear or favor. Such boldness is
hard to find among Nigeria political class and citizenry. While the
others were expressing their views behind close doors (not to offend
the new king on the block from giving them “food”), like Nike advert,
OBJ did it!
Like the letter I wrote to Governor Oshiomhole on November 16th,
2012 widely published online titled “An Open Letter to Governor
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of Edo State” I like this letter because it is
good for Nigeria. It is high time that those that are occupying the
highest position of power in the country started to scrutinize one
another. It is part of the democratic process and has a tendency to
keep them in check. It is same reason that most American politicians
try to stay as clean as possible. Because too many eyes watching
them are ready to dig out their dirty linen and display it in public.
Checks and balance in government 101!
My expectation is that GEJ should also display his patriotism for
Nigeria and manly prowess by writing OBJ to express his views. There
is nothing wrong with having divergence of opinion about issues
affecting the nation. There are times one cannot help but love
America. I am enthralled when Americans will look into the eye ball of
their president (whoever) and say with grace and civility “I disagree
with you Mr. President because……”
With all the accusations against OBJ coming from the political elite
after he wrote his letter, I was wondering why they were not men
enough to publically do the same to OBJ while he was running the
country? I am just thinking here. To me, it shows they are bunch of
self-serving mama’s boys.
In fact, if APC is not full of same recycled political milksops, they
should be looking for all the dirty linens of PDP and displaying it for
the Nigerian people to see.
Also, if PDP wants to show that they are not political cowards and
namby-pambies, they should go after all the “bad bad things” APC
party is doing against Nigeria people and present them in Nigeria’s
public domain. Nigerians know that looting is the only thing that
binds both party members together.
Please Nigerians pray and encourage them to write one another. They
know where all the money went and its going. They know who
supplies the arms to terrorist, kidnappers and political thugs. When
all the letters are in, it will help us to prosecute them and hold them
accountable.
Thank you OBJ for writing the second letter. I am waiting for GEJ’s
letter, Tinubu’s letter, IBB’s letter, Atiku’s letter, Buhari’s letter and all
the others. 2014 should be the year of letters for them. May God
bless Nigerians and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Written By Paul Omoruyi