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Why We Want OBJ to Continue By J.E.Iyobhebhe
I have had a lot of response to my short article pleading with Nigerians to give OBJ more time to complete the job.
The majority agree that the mission cannot be completed in 24 months. That it is imperative the mission is successful if Nigeria is to fulfil her potential as a proud representative of the Black race in the global scheme of things. That the crusade ( I better use Jihad as well before I am accused of having a hidden Christian Crusader agenda) against corruption must continue beyond 2007 to achieve its full impact and benefit for the Nigerian people. Others accuse me of being a sycophant and an Appointment Seeker. Some even say that I have either been settled by Chief Anenih or by OBJ himself. Some say I don’t wish OBJ or Nigeria well. Others say I am looking for trouble. That we want to break up Nigeria by having the audacity to suggest OBJ continues his war against corruption in Nigeria beyond 2007.
My dear Brothers and Sisters, a sycophant I am not. I told you guys earlier that I never use to like OBJ. If I were a sycophant I would have joined the band -wagon in 1999 or 2003 when he was clearly the anointed one. Is it now when it is hard work to try to persuade millions of Nigerians and the man that he should stay that I will now join the League of Sycophants?
For me the single action that has endeared OBJ to me is not only his realization that corruption is the biggest single cause of poverty and underdevelopment in Nigeria, but his desire, willingness and ability to do what is necessary to curb it and allow Nigeria fulfil her true Destiny. This is why I am campaigning for him to stay and continue the fight to save Nigeria. Nothing more. Nothing less. No hidden agenda. No ulterior motive.
I am not fighting for appointment because I have a decent and interesting job in London that meets my family’s needs. I have never asked the Leader or OBJ for any appointment in the structures of the PDP or Government. In fact when I was approached by certain people to join the PDP in 2003 I said no. I have never met OBJ or the Leader. Well, I lied. I was at a Nigerian Investment Conference in London some time ago that OBJ addressed- if you want to call that meeting OBJ.
Please people, can I not express my sincere hope and desire for Nigeria without being accused of sycophancy and appointment seeking. I don’t belong to the old corrupt system so you cannot tarnish me with that Brush. I am even lucky that I am not Yoruba because if I were- those who cannot see beyond their tribal boundaries will say- you see these Yoruba people, their man is in and now they don’t want to rotate the Presidency anymore. Well, to these people, wake up. We now live in a global village. There is a lot going on out there and tribe has nothing to do with it. Think Nigeria First.
To those who say I don’t wish OBJ well. That is not true. OBJ does not belong to OBJ anymore. He is now a Nigerian and African property. The way Mandela is an African and Global icon. He is now finally leading a movement that touches the very heart and soul of every Nigerian. He has now placed himself above the Nigerian factor and the Nigerian system. He has finally divorced himself from the old Corrupt Oligarchy. He has issued not just a statement of intent but a statement of Action as well. He is now strong enough to do something about the real problem holding Nigeria back. The good Lord and the Almighty Allah have strengthened his hand for his life’s work. Of course, I wish the poor man long life and good health to continue his Anointed mission for Nigeria. It is not an easy job. Without him to head our movement the mission to save Nigeria will fail. Who else is strong enough NOW to lead this battle? Who? OBJ must now fulfil his mission in life. He must fulfil the Promise for which the Almighty Allah spared his Life. He cannot leave the mission half way. He must fulfil it. That is why we want him to Complete the Job. He cannot complete it in 24 months.
To those who say we are looking for trouble and don’t wish the country well. Are you happy with the way things are in Nigeria today? Are you happy about the state of the Country? Our schools? Our Roads? Our Hospitals? The behaviour of our Ministers, Policemen and Leaders? Are you proud of Nigeria the way she is today? Can you say we are fulfilling our potential as a Nation? Can you truly say that? Of course, we wish Nigeria well that is why we don’t want the fight against corruption to be derailed in 24 months time.
The North will not accept. Which North? North East, North West, Middle Belt? The majority poor long suffering faithful Northerners or the Corrupt old leadership who instead of developing their land decided instead to enrich themselves and their immediate Elite circle. Our poor northern brothers suffer the same way the poor in the south suffer. In the same way the majority of Nigerians suffer. And they know why they are suffering- Corruption. The majority of Northern Moslems will support continuation of the battle against corruption so long as they believe it is sincere and that it will improve their lives in the long run. There are some leaders in the North West and North East who for their own ambition will try and whip up sentiments against Continuity and Stability under Democracy but it will fail in the end. This is my honest view. I believe the Middle Belt (the so called geo political North Central) will support continuity. Well, the South -South and South -West will also. That leaves South- East. I think the South East will follow the Spirit of the Age and will support the war against corruption as well. Where then is the opposition?
Our opponents say the International Community will not accept OBJ staying beyond 2007. Who said? If the Nigerian people willingly amend their constitution and say OBJ we want you to continue, and the President says no he does not want to continue and 3M Nigerians converge at Ota Farm and say they are not leaving until he accepts their call and finally he says yes, stands in a free and fair election and is given a Big vote to continue (provided the elections are free and fair and truly represents the hopes and aspirations of the Nigerian voter) I cannot see the US or UK, or French or Japanese or German or South African or Ghanaian Governments saying no to the new government. I defer to our Foreign Affairs analysts and experts on this point.
Some say what about Togo? I say what about Togo. Togo is different. In Togo the Eyadema family that have ruled Togo for over a Quarter of a Century wanted to establish a Monarchical Political Dynasty after the death of Eyadema Senior recently. They got their NA, through the Barrel of the Gun, to amend their Constitution to allow Eyadema Junior inherit his Father’s throne. It is not the same. And besides what has young Toure got to offer Togo anyway. We have a gigantic job for OBJ in Nigeria. It is very different.
Others have said is this not another IBB or Abacha style self- succession Plot or Conspiracy. Certainly, not. Neither IBB or Abacha were elected by anyone in the first place (disputed or otherwise) . Well, you can say the Barrel of the Gun elected them. It is not the same.
In my view OBJ does not rule with the Devils Grip. OBJ’s is not a Regime based on Terror and Fear. Nigerians are not fleeing the Country at night to escape his assassins dressed as SSS or DIA or NIA operatives. Those leaving the country are doing so because of the Poverty and the lack of legitimate opportunities for career or self- improvement (economic reasons). Nigerians are not being imprisoned just for criticising OBJ or his Govt. You and I can say whatever we like about OBJ and the Army will not come and raise your village to the ground. We have a relatively free press. Journalists and publishers criticising OBJ and his Government are not being hounded out of the country or worse still assassinated. Newspapers are not being burnt down or closed down over night. Please do not compare Abacha with OBJ. You cannot compare the Devil’s Grip with an Anointed Hand. In any event OBJ has said openly that he wants to go in 2007. It is not the same.
Nobody is saying OBJ Forever or Sole and Only Candidate or President-For-Life. Well, I am certainly not saying that. That would be sycophancy indeed. Sycophancy with a big S.
There are those who say: what has he been doing in the last six years. Well, where do I begin? The almost empty treasury in 1999, trying to please those who thought he owed his position to them, the dogfight with the NA that lasted into the 2003 elections, the lack of foreign investment caused by the sanction against the late Abacha regime, near collapse of the country, the fight with Labour, controlling the religious and tribal bloodbath in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Benue, Niger Delta, Anambra Crisis, the rise of Sharia, Ethic militias and gangsterism, problems with the 2003 elections and its aftermath, cleaning up our image abroad, cleansing the armed forces of money grabbing political Officers, establishing proper control over the security and intelligence services, helping Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, etc. I will leave the rest to the able Mr (or is it now Chief) Fani -Kayode. He holds brief for OBJ on public affairs. He can tell you about the economic and other gains of the OBJ regime. Besides, to me, what OBJ has been up to in the last 6 yrs is a secondary question. That is not my primary concern. It is where we go from here that is important for Nigerians now.
What about the moral imperative? What about setting an example? What about the moral high ground? Well, the man does not want to continue anyway, we are asking him to. Which is the Greater Evil? Allowing our people to continue to suffer in Poverty due to Corruption or allowing OBJ more time to deal with the single biggest cause of poverty in Nigeria. I know which I will choose.
Who will really be upset if OBJ stays? I think those who think it is their turn to loot the treasury in 2007 and take Nigeria back to the dark ages will be most upset. I don’t think the average man in Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Minna, Yola, Benin, Enugu, Ibadan etc, etc, will be. I don’t think so. Again, what do I know? I could be wrong.
Please remember I am not calling for President-for-Life. Just that in an ideal world the new Constitution should have a fixed 6-7 single term for the President and OBJ should be allowed the first slot so that he can complete his mission for Nigeria. Please do not associate myself with Sycophants like Waku.
Love. Peace. Tolerance and Unity for Real.
Just my personal view. No offence meant.
Nothing personal.
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