Emperor Obasanjo, Nigeria is Smarter than You!By Habu Dauda Fika
We know without question that the most important thing we need from this president is a sincere, capable, competent, and focused leadership. We also know that events on both sides of the Niger/Benue and the thinking in our capital have underlined the inextricable need for reducing poverty, increasing security, and spreading the foundations for a democratic, rights-based society. Unfortunately, Obasanjo is single-handedly determined to see that all - the good will of Nigerians and the hard work of those who want to see democracy take a stronger hold - go to waste. The president has neglected his ‘stolen’ mandate to govern and be a leader for all Nigerians. He is now the leader of the PDP and the fact that he resides in Aso Rock is just a bonus for the PDP gang that is reckless in its disregard of the rights and privileges of Nigerians, except those in the PDP! Lately, the duo of Obasanjo and Ribadu has usurped our rights to choose our own leaders as they constantly remind us that they alone know who is a good leader for Nigeria . The level of worst-than-military dictatorial inclinations and flagrant despotic behaviour is fingerprinted all over the actions of ‘his highness’ Obasanjo and his obsequious cabinet. Almost every action taken in the name of this government or its principal partner the PDP, is suspect after careful examination. The unfair and illegal greater role reserved for the PDP in the ongoing preparations for the upcoming April polls’ is laden with malevolence as the EFCC, the ICPC, the INEC and the SSS have become tools and mouthpieces of the government for the singular purpose of winning the elections for Obasanjo’s cronies or preventing others outside the PDP from even contesting. Observe the sorry and demeaning dramas that are involving the EFCC, the presidency, or those unfolding in many states like Oyo, Anambra, Ekiti, Kebbi, and Adamawa, without a doubt the handiwork of this presidency and its agents, and you will arrive at the same conclusions most people have already. I would contend that common sense is deeply lacking for those who assume we will accept the motivations of this government as honest. It is clearly also the wish of this government to become the prosecutor, the judge and the jury in all matters that it feels the law of the land will not sanction. Even military governments of the past did not create this many suspicious, illegal, ‘administrative panels of inquiry’, when we are blessed with a robust and commendable judicial system. If Mr. Obasanjo is serious about doing what is good for Nigeria , then his starting point must be to accept that the government cannot do everything and that Nigerians should be encouraged to make substantial inputs. Advice and criticism must be sought and welcomed at all times. He must equally accept the case that most of the things that Nigerians want are easier to accomplish if he behaves like a true Leader. From common aims in the fight against poverty, from concerted action on the decaying educational system, and the competent provision of security to protect life and property, to the preparation on the forthcoming elections in April, there is ample opportunity for this government to provide true leadership. Instead, the past few months have provided many examples of arrogant and misdirected leadership coming from Aso Rock. In Nigeria today, the belief that the democratic experiment needs a radical overhaul is commonplace among our people. The forthcoming elections are by far the best measure of how much we have learned from 1999 till date. Obasanjo must put Nigeria first, and believe in the simple but vital premise that if the government can devote substantially concerted, honest and impartial resources to the preparations for elections over the next three months, it will reap the benefits of its success for decades to come. Unfortunately, he has failed to foretaste this ‘big picture’ in his constant vindictive posture over petty issues, thus confirming to us all that no one, from the current crop of leaders, has clean hands. While OBJ is busy, not unlike the ostrich, burying his head in the sand, the world is carefully examining the record of this government and other events in Nigeria carefully. It is necessary to review again one of the many negative reports released last year. One such report is “the country report on human rights abuses” released by the ‘Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor’. According to that report, this government is comparable to the worst dictatorial regimes found around the planet. Here are some highlights from that report:- “The (Nigerian) government's human rights record remained poor, and government officials at all levels continued to commit serious abuses. Inadequate infrastructure, endemic corruption, and general economic mismanagement hindered economic growth. Much of the country's wealth remained concentrated in the hands of a small elite. More than 70 percent of citizens live on less than one dollar per day. The following human rights problems were reported:
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abridgement of citizens' right to change their government Read the Full Report Here http://www.amanaonline.com/editorials/editorial_122.htm Retired US assistant Secretary of State for Africa Herman J Cohen has the following to say “Obasanjo has little to show for his almost eight years in power. There has been no noticeable reduction in poverty levels despite the surge in oil revenues from Nigeria 's daily production of 2.5 million barrels. The government-owned oil refineries are producing less now than at the beginning of his first term. Other government-owned industries and utilities continue to be moribund. Obasanjo has done nothing to alleviate the deep insufficiency of electric power, a problem that has caused many factories to close, including the French investor Michelin Tires. Retired civil servants and local business suppliers are not getting paid. Violence in the oil-producing Delta region has grown worse. As much as 20 percent of Nigeria 's oil exports are being stolen or disrupted by the insurgency. Finally, Obasanjo has hardly dented the colossal problem of corruption. As much as $600 billion in ill- gotten gains sit in foreign bank accounts while the rural farmers live on less than a dollar a day.” It is safe to say that Obasanjo is not perceived as a capable leader around the globe. His friends in the US and elsewhere are now saying so in the open. This is the prism through which the rest of the world views Nigeria , the need for us to effectively change many of these legitimate and some mistaken perception rest with us all as citizens of our great nation, but the duty is on the leadership on the ground. The situation is really dire and unpredictable for us and for Nigeria . It is therefore delusional for any leader (including Obasanjo) to think he or she can take Nigeria and Nigerians for granted. We are too big for that impertinence. Our big test is on the horizon and it is time for all Nigerians to stand up and vote. As for the arrogance we are witnessing from our ‘selected’ office holders of the day and the ‘anointed’ office holders of tomorrow, time suffers no fools. They are all in for the surprise of a lifetime and Nigeria knows better. Our good will outshine our bad one day soon. It is possible that May 29th can be the beginning. “A winner is not one who never fails, but one who never QUITS!” It is time for all Nigerians to be winners. We cannot afford to quit now!
Habu Dauda Fika is the webmaster of amanaonline and writes from Washington DC
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