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Obasanjo's
New Friend By Uwem Inyang Obasanjo
surely has many friends and the number keeps swelling even in the
face of arbitrary rule and nauseating governance. While some of these
friends are well founded, some are totally unfounded and at times very
questionable. I am beginning to assume that my enemy's friend could be
my
friend and no more my enemy as facts emanate from the contemptuous state
of
emergency in Plateau State. While some have rightly stated that it is
harsh,
uncalled for and ridiculous others have applauded the irrational stance
of
Alhaji Aremu Obasanjo. The far-reaching logics of Abubakar Umar have
never
ceased to impress me. The essential disposition of Muhammadu Buhari have
always endeared me to his wisdom and disciplined character. The honesty
of
Wada Nas always attracts my rapt attention but I am beginning to think
twice
regarding what his new found love for Obasanjo is really all about.
I have always seen Alhaji Wada Nas as someone who stands for a cause be
it
right or wrong. Of all of those who were close to the late Sani Abacha,
he
has remained steadfast and consistent in his loyalty to the former
leader.
He has refused to flirt for political reasons and has always maintained
his
dignity even though his sixth sense must have reminded him of the
horrors of
the military dictator. He has stood firm by the Abacha family and has
led a
reasonable path in the search of proper democracy even though his fixed
attachment to the North at times becloud his sense of better thinking.
To
me, there is nothing completely incorrect about one's regional
allegiance
after all the late Obafemi Awolowo did same and died an intelligent
hero.
But Wada Nas's outright support for the dissolution of the democratic
structure in Plateau State is absolutely bereft of national sense and
communal existence. It is overtly biased and very naïve in delivery.
Would Wada Nas have applauded Obasanjo if this happened in Kano State
where
chronic religious extermination of Christians by Muslims exists? Would
Wada
Nas be well pleased if Obasanjo called the Deputy Governor of Zamfara,
whose
name I have deliberately forgot to recall an idiot? Would Wada Nas be
thrilled if Obasanjo told the Sultan of Sokoto, SCIA (Supreme Council
for
Islamic Affairs) my foot? Would he? The answer is an emphatic NO. So all
of
a sudden it makes sense to humiliate the Christian race by a fellow
"Christian" and all Wada Nas can do is congratulate the
President on his
stupidity. Wada Nas went ahead and said that for the first time,
Obasanjo is
behaving like a President. What balderdash? Let me make it known that if
some people feel that this will oppress the Christian race, then they
should
have their heads re-examined. Christians are no cowards and prefer to
abide
by the tenets of their religion rather than always resorting to violence
and
counter violence.
The rumour mill has it that Joshua Dariye made utterances that
undermined
the co-existence of Christians and Muslims in his state. Whether this is
true or false, did the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State not incite
fellow
Muslims to shed the blood of Isioma Daniel? Is that not incitation to
murder? Not until, wiser and better placed Muslims in Nigeria stood and
nullified his rant for Isioma to be killed that the issue was laid to
rest.
What steps did Obasanjo take openly to caution and call the idle Deputy
Governor to order? Why is Kano State spared of this state of emergency
insanity? How would Wada Nas react if Muslims experience carnage inside
the
mosque? Those reading would have noticed that I have not fully condemned
Obasanjo in this write-up yet because I am simply fed up with him and
his
mannerism. I have written several times to update Nigerians that our
President is a law onto himself and until he is brought back to planet
earth, heaven's fury will not end. Sometime ago, I said that many more
would
come from Obasanjo because he sees himself as God sent and therefore can
get
away with any he does. But I doubt that heaven's anger will not increase
against him until he publicly apologises to all Christians that he has
grossly slurred by saying "CAN my foot!"
Muhammadu Buhari would never say such to any religious organisation.
Mohammed Abacha and Ibrahim Babingida would certainly not follow suit
and
they are Muslims, which is even more intriguing. In fact, Abacha would
declare a state of emergency in both Kano and Plateau states. I remember
that the most grave thing that Abacha said openly was "Enough is
Enough" in
a crisis situation without humiliating anybody verbally. What Reverend
Yakubu Pam said to Obasanjo was a simple and sensible question based on
logic and rational assessment. The good news too is that no Muslim has
publicly said that Rev. Yakubu Pam was out of order with his quizzing.
This
should speak volumes over this annoying and provoking matter. Is not
ironical that a globetrotting President should criticise a globetrotting
Governor? Is it not silly that a failure of national security could
depose
an alleged failure of state security? Is this not another PDP family
affair?
Why has Obasanjo not described Emperor Chris Uba as a democratic idiot
for
attempting to truncate Anambra State's democracy? Who does Obasanjo
think he
is that he cannot accept criticisms?
Back to Wada Nas. I shall wait to see the results of this newfound
friendship that Wada Nas is now fomenting with Obasanjo. I am sure that
at
some point, some fermentation will take place and we shall be duly
informed.
I cannot wait for 2007 for a presidential change to take place as
for now
the Aso Rock corridors of power ooze extreme arrogance, sinking
ignorance
and democratic petulance.
Some things just never change.
Uwem Inyang
London ***
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