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As Obasanjo and Atiku Forgive One Another By Musa Ilallah
Kindly me allow me this singular and golden opportunity to use your medium of communication to air my views on the sour relationship that existed for almost 5 years by two of Nigeria’s strongest political figures in recent times but which have by the grace of God been laid to a final resting place in the spirit of the teachings of the holy books.
The news that Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Deputy, Atiku Abubakar have sheathed their swords, buried their differences, forgive each other and have pledged their resolve to once more work together for the progress, development and unity of the country, did not come to most Nigerians as surprise. Firstly, and most importantly both Christianity and Islam, as the religious beliefs of the duo respectively have severally and individually stressed the need for forgiveness as a way of life for their believers. Secondly, it is a known practice among Nigerian politicians that political differences no matter how much and deep they are, are one day reconcilable. That is to say those political differences are never a life time enmity. They come to pass with situations and circumstances.
Nigerians from all walks of life have lent their voices for or against the duo’s re-unification. While some described it as godly, good and a welcome development in our fragile democracy, others describe it as fraudulent and aimed at scoring some selfish goals. No matter what, all are agreed that forgiving one another for wrongs done to one another.
Even the duo of Chief Obasanjo and Turakin Adamawa Atiku has individually and collectively said that their meeting in Abeokuta had no political undertones but merely called to reconcile and push the country forward. Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Chief Obasanjo said since he and Atiku belong to PDP and AC respectively, they are not political associates. Also, Atiku had recently while responding to the barrage of attacks on his person as a result of their meeting confirmed that his visit is not political and has nothing to do with his political aspiration. In a widely used statement issued in Abuja and titled ‘the virtue of forgiveness and reconciliation’, Atiku said the aim was largely born out ‘of my desire to strengthen social, family and political fabrics of the nation through forgiveness’.
All are agreed like Atiku himself admitted that as leaders he and Obasanjo along with all leaders must discard vindictive tendencies so as to leave a good example for our children and for posterity. That in a nutshell is what all religions profess. It is reassuring and encouraging that Atiku had resolved to this year extend a hand of friendship to all his former political foes and rid his mind of negative emotions and further radiate positive aura towards all.
It is important that we all accept the fact that the reconciliation between Obasanjo and Atiku was genuine, from the bottom of their hearts and targeted at demonstrating the virtues of forgiveness and encourage their supporters and indeed other Nigerians to imbibe the same principle. Nigerians must give these two great leaders of the country the benefit of the doubt in the reasons they advanced for their meeting. We must take them by their words as former leaders, statesmen and patriots. We must all do everything we can to encourage the spirit of give and take, the spirit of forgiveness among leaders and followers alike.
We must all be optimistic that the re union, re unification, forgiveness and any other name you and I can give them, are In the best interest and survival of the country. As for me I have no doubt in my mind that the duo means well for the country and her citizens. May God help us realise these aspirations. We must therefore learn to shun and ignore all those who are giving the re union of the two leaders a bad name in order to hang them. They are merely giving the meeting a bad name in order to score cheap political points. Such people are just out to cause confusion, tense and heat up the polity all the times so that they can reap from it, benefit materially and financially |