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On Wole Soyinka and Ebenzer Babatope’s Attempts to Neutralise the Opposition Against Obasanjo By Mahamman Adarawa
The emergence of party flag bearers by anointment or consensus as well as the rallying of opposition parties behind Buhari against the ruling PDP has threatened Obasanjo’s plans of extension of his rule (option A) or imposition of his anointed candidate(option B) in April 2007. The anxiety and fears expressed by Obasanjo and his “loyal” PDP officials is not unexpected. However, what is surprising to Nigerians is the extent to which his intellectual and spiritual backers like Soyinka and Babatope can shamelessly go on helping him to consolidate his position when almost all Nigerians said it loud and clear that his time is up.
Obasanjo’s eight years rule has not only spread poverty and apathy in the land but has also destroyed the social fabrics of the society. The security situation in the country is worsening year in year out, for up to now the murderers of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice (Bola Ige) are not brought to justice! Same for Harry Marshall, Dikibo and a host of others. The sadistic slaughter of Abubakar Rimi’s wife will never be forgotten in the political history of Nigeria under Obasanjo. The unrest, kidnappings and violence in the Niger Delta is a pure case of neglect by the Federal Government under Obasanjo. The ethno religious crisis in the North only abated when the communities realised they were being played one against the other. It is interesting to note that Babatope never condemned the killing of Bola Ige and Soyinka often grumbles lackadaisically about it.
The arbitrary removal of senate presidents, blackmailing and bribing of legislators and disregard for court rulings has aborted development of democracy. Negotiation and tolerance has been replaced by blind loyalty, intimidation, brute force and killings. The deliberate incitement to political instability especially in Anambra, Bayelsa and Plateau has destroyed the confidence of politicians. As if Nigerians have not had enough, he recently engaged his VP in a duel there by not only exposing his primitive form of democracy to the outside world but importantly neglecting issues of governance and people’s welfare.
Traditional Institutions and religious groups are not spared the rot. Obasanjo deceived the so called religious leaders who told the whole world that he was the messiah Nigeria needed. Some even went to the extent of campaigning for him while mischievous ones among them helped in the 2003 rigging. Reverend Mbang even went to the extent of castigating people that complained against the rigging in 2003. The Okija shrine fetish services (blood and human parts are used) which is patronised by PDP in their oath taking finally convinced even the doubting Thomas that the PDP works like a cult organisation. Most religious and traditional rulers therefore resolved to use a long spoon if they have to dine with Obasanjo and the PDP.
What is astonishing with Obasanjo’s rule is the extent to which services are decaying in the face of massive oil revenues. Thus access to basic health care is still lacking in Nigeria, no wonder we have one of the highest maternal and infant mortalities in the world. Our educational institutions are not only dilapidated but lecturers are insulted at times by Obasanjo and frustrated by his government. Erratic power supply has not only reduced the quality of life of Nigerians but compounded the problems of unemployment by closure of industries. Farmers are frustrated by lack of coherent policy on implements and fertiliser. Lack of implementation of environmental protection policies is threatening livelihood of many communities in Nigeria.
Thus, Obasanjo’s behaviour in governance has lead to the emergence of two major tendencies among politicians and their supporters, cutting across ethnic, religious, regional and party lines. One group of politicians believed in the rule of law, genuine democracy, transparency and accountability in governance. To this group belong Balarabe Musa, Ken Nnamani, Tunji Braithwaite, Muhammadu Buhari, Mike Ahamba, Olu Falae, Ayo Adebanjo, Audu Ogbe, Abubakar Rimi, Bisi Akande, Solomon Lar, Tam David –West and the majority of Nigerians. The other group believed in disregard for rule of law, Oath taking in dark shrines, deceit, blind loyalty, betrayal, blackmail, bribery and fascism. To this group belong Tony Anenih, Olusegun Obasanjo, Olabode George, John Odey, Aurther Nzeribe, Chris Uba, Andy Uba, Sule Lamido, Lateef Adedibu, Ibrahim Mantu, Governors Abubakar Muaazu, Saminu Turaki, and Abdullahi Adamu etc. In addition the latter group has intellectual and spiritual backers like Soyinka and Babatope who because of advantages they and their relatives enjoy in Obasanjo’s regime indirectly work for him by trying in all possible ways to neutralise the opposition. They have now portrayed themselves as third term supporters in another guise. Their recent attempts to underrate Buhari has failed woefully During the 2003 elections they mischievously used the media at their disposal to spread lies against Buhari, but Nigerians have recognised the folly in their previous propaganda that is why people are asking them to shut up this time around.. They would never be able to shield Obasanjo when Nigerians would start asking him questions about his rule just like Pinochet, not even if Buhari, Yar’aduwa or Utomi ignores or pardons him as predicted. Soyinka and Babtope can best help their friend by advising him to prepare and hold a free and fair election in April 2007 perchance Nigerians could forgive him.
Yours Faithfully,
Mahamman Adarawa,
Abuja, Nigeria.
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