Freelance Criticism Of Obasanjo

Freelance Criticism Of Obasanjo's Blackmail Of Rahman Olusegun Mimiko Is Not Necessarily An Endorsement

Dr. Wunmi Akintide

My attention has been drawn to the fact that my criticism of the Obasanjo's self-serving and undiplomatic blackmail of Olusegun Mimiko is being misconstrued, in certain quarters, as an iron-clad endorsement of Mimiko as the next Governor of Ondo State.

Like so many Nigerians and Ondo State citizens around the world, I was naturally pissed off by the Obasanjo's indictment and characterization of Mimiko as a corrupt politician and his insinuation or incitement that Nuhu Ribadu, his attack dog and the EFCC would soon be after him to cut him down to size. To me what Obasanjo as President was doing was tantamount to hitting Mimiko below the belt in his holier-than- thou effort to project Olusegun Agagu as the Saint and his only horse in the gubernatorial race in Ondo State. I thought that was dishonest and insulting to the intelligence of the Ondo State voters and I crafted my comments the best way I know how in reacting to the blackmail from a President who has proved himself, time and again, to always shoot himself in the mouth, because he does not understand how to talk like an elder statesman after all his years in Government.

He sounded more like an Idi Amin than a Winston Churchill in the way and manner he frames public policy statements or delivers political speeches on the stump. He remains a total embarrassment to the Yoruba race who are world-famous for their diplomacy and sense of decorum in talking about an opponent. Obasanjo prides himself on being a soldier, and he talks like one all the time. Nigerians must thank God that this President's was never given the chance to be appointed the Secretary-general of the UN, a position he had wanted so bad, before his nomination was quietly shot down by IBB and his Government at the time. I still remember that IBB's Government did not fight tooth and nail to support his nomination against that of Kofi Annan for some reason. It was a good move by IBB I dare say, and in retrospect, I think our nation has to be grateful to IBB for taking that position.

I was not initially happy about Obasanjo's indictment of Mimiko but in the final analysis I strongly believe like many in Ondo State that the blackmail has helped rather than hurt Mimiko and his little known political party in our State. Out of sympathy, a lot of voters like me who were not paying attention to his candidacy, to begin with, have suddenly found ourselves taking notice and recognizing him as a counter force to the Agagu political machine and propaganda in Ondo State.

Rather than bringing Mimiko down the, Obasanjo tirade would appear to have helped him above and beyond any of his rivals for the Governor's seat. The blackmail has also helped to galvanize the voters in his home constituency of Ondo Town and surrounding areas of IIe -Oluji, Okegbo, and Odigbo area of Ondo State. The Ondo people who are famous for standing up for their own children and helping to pull them up with their boot straps have quickly rallied round their son in his hour of need. By responding to the Obasanjo onslaught with some understandable decency and decorum while allowing others to fight for him, Mimiko has done himself a lot of good. in my opinion.

I don't personally know Mimiko, but I have heard a lot of good things said about him while he was Commissioner for Health and later on as Secretary to the Ondo State Government before being invited to replace Mrs. Osomo as Federal Minister by the same Obasanjo that now wants him crucified for standing up to his anointed candidate for Governor in Ondo State. The Labor Party is a relatively unknown party in our State, but they now appear to have a good candidate to run their flag. If there is any Party today in Ondo State who can best give Agagu some sleepless nights, it is Mimiko's Labor Party, I dare say. That Mimiko is able to find a juggernaut Ondo State citizen like my friend, Olaiya Oni from Ise, Akoko to agree to serve as his Campaign Chairman and spokesperson, is a smart move, I might add. I know Olaiya very well. He was my classmate at Ife University and a seasoned administrator and a former Secretary to Government, and a very powerful one at that, if you ask me.

By that strategic move, Mimiko has improved his electoral chances in Akoko and Ose and Owo Local Government areas of Ondo State in particular. By teaming up with a few minor parties and political leaders like Mrs. Osomo and others in Okitipupa, Ilaje Ese-Odo areas up to Agbagada, Ugbo Eti, and Ugbo Nla and Aiyetoro, Obe Jedo and Zion Pepper of Ondo State, Mimiko is right on his way to giving Agagu a run for his money and popularity in that enclave, if only the election can be free and fair.

I also believe that Mimiko may have made some inroads to Akure, Idanre and Ifedore areas of Ondo State. As a pioneer Director of DIFFRI (Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructures) in Ondo State, I have put 2 and 2 together to get 4 on the electoral chances of Mimiko, If he is able to match Agagu Naira for Naira in some of those constituencies, he, sure, has a chance to do better than expected.

I know something about grass root politics in Ondo State as a rural development enthusiast in that State. it is a combination of that knowledge that I project in my article in question. I am a realist. I can tell a strong candidate when I see one. Mimiko appears to me to have some potential in facing up to Agagu and getting some positive results. I don't know Mimiko that much, and he was not my first horse in that race when it first began.

I was rooting for Architect Isaac Olu Agbesua and I am still rooting for him till now, because I know him the best of all candidates. He was my junior at Oyemekun Grammar School. and I know he is an extremely hardworking young man and a self-made man who could do for our State what he has done for himself all these years. He is totally incorruptible and dependable. If he gives you his word, you can trust him to deliver on it. Without any doubt, he is one of the best candidates I can totally vouch for, to turn our State around, and I would readily contribute my widow's mite to the success of his campaigns without any question, because he is that good.

I also appreciate, however, that my support alone will not be enough to make him Governor. That was why I was so pissed when I heard that no less than nine candidates in Akure alone were running to be Governor of the State. I was hoping that common sense would prevail and that the new Deji-in-Council and his Chiefs would find some ways to persuade all the candidates to rally round behind one candidate, instead of dissipating their energy. If the list of candidates cleared to run for Governor in Ondo State is authentic, I have counted no less than four candidates from Akure alone. I think that was really dumb, if you ask me

There is Lawyer Ademola Adegoroye, Professor Ebenezer Ibukun Arifalo, Professor William Olu Aderounmu and Architect Isaac Olu Agbesua as I recall. That the four of them from the same town would be running at the same time is a fatal mistake in my judgment. They are going to make it that much difficult to dislodge Agagu by splitting their votes,

Their ultimate goal should have been a concerted effort to defeat Agagu by all means just like Agagu was helped to defeat Adebayo Adefarati in 1999. I forcefully argue in my last article that the opposition parties in Ondo State ought to gang up against Agagu and that still remains my point till now. They can dislodge Agagu if they rally round a candidate like Olu Agbesua who I believe can still win, if the opposition will listen to what we are suggesting here. The declaration by the new Deji and his Chiefs that they are all rooting for Agagu should be seen as a step in the wrong direction for the opposition forces in Ondo State, and somebody has to say that loud and clear, because it is the bitter truth.

I am able to say it because I don't support a candidate based on any kickback they are able to offer me. I don't need a dime from any of the candidates. As a matter of fact, I would offer to voluntarily contribute to their campaigns just like I did in 1999 when Agagu was running against Adefarati. My late father was one of the founding pillars of the Action Group in Akure town, but that did not stop me from throwing my support to Olusegun Agagu and Omolade Oluwateru of the PDP at the time.

Today I am totally in opposite camps with the duo, because I think they have not measured up to my expectations. Election is all about choice. In a Democracy, you vote for a candidate you believe can best deliver the goods. You don't impose a candidate on the voters like Obasanjo has been doing at all levels of Government.

Obasanjo, in his own words, has demonstrated poor judgment in anointing candidates that have turned out to be a disaster. He has told the nation he has made a horrendous mistake in picking Atiku Abubakar for Vice President in 1999. He has made a terrible mistake in picking Enwerem, Okadigbo and Anyim for Senate President. So far only Nnamani would appear to have been a good choice, Naaba in Obasanjo's word was also a disaster, and so is the present Speaker, Masari, I would suspect. If morning shows the day as boyhood shows manhood, the choice of Governor Musa Yar'Adua of Katsina for President could turn out to be another timing bomb for Nigeria.

I submit therefore that Obasanjo's choice for Ondo State has to be viewed with utmost suspicion at this point in time. Ondo State voters must refuse to be misled by a President who values personal loyalty above loyalty to our nation and its Constitution. It is time for Agagu to go. We have had enough of him.

I rest my case.

Dr. Wunmi Akintide.