Obasanjo’s Verdict of Self-preservation, by Richard Odusanya

Let me start by congratulating former President Olusegun Obasanjo the Balogun Owu kingdom. Going through the Bible, I came across men like Daniel called the greatly beloved of God (Daniel 10:11); Abraham, a friend of God (James 2:23); David, a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22); Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo is another personality that is known to be a beneficiary of God’s benevolence.

The former Head of state/President came from a Nigerian village Ibogun-Olaogun, Ifo, Ogun State, Nigeria, to the pinnacle of power on the continent. Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military head of state between 1976 and 1979 and two-time democratically elected president, from 1999 to 2007. “OBJ”, as he is widely called, is probably the most globally known and celebrated Nigerian leader.

I believe ‘OBJ’ laid the foundation of where we are today. Profoundly, in the words of Chief Olusegun Osoba, a Nigerian journalist and politician who served twice as governor of Ogun State first from 1992 to 1993 during the Nigerian Third Republic and then from 1999 to 2003. Osoba has accused ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo of laying the foundation for bad leadership in the country. Aremo, says “Obasanjo laid the foundation for bad leadership in Nigeria.”

President Obasanjo’s recent address at Yale University sparked intense criticism, with many Nigerians viewing his self-glorification as misplaced. His tenure was marked by significant opportunities to address Nigeria’s fundamental issues, but he failed to capitalize on them. Instead, he prioritized self-preservation, enrichment, and promotion. 

Sadly, a critical example is Nigeria’s oil windfall between May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2007, and recent years. It was a bumper harvest. Unfortunately, oil became more of a curse than a blessing because of Weak institutions of state and poor governance in managing the vast revenues which led our beloved country Nigeria to fail to realize its full potential under the watch of Olusegun Obasanjo.

On November 15, former Head-of-State/President Olusegun Obasanjo addressed the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, sharing his insights on topical issues, such as; leadership, governance, and Africa’s development. ‘OBJ’ emphasized the importance of effective leadership, accountability, and transparency in Africa’s development. Furthermore, he stressed the need to combat corruption, citing it as a major obstacle to progress in the African continent.

Obasanjo’s address benefited from his extensive experience as a “leader/statesman”. His call to action resonated with the audience, particularly among African youths. Obasanjo demonstrated a deep knowledge and understanding of Africa’s challenges and opportunities. However, some critics opined that Obasanjo’s address offered few new or innovative solutions.

Selectively, he largely glossed over his own tenure which was marked by controversies, such as; lack of accountability, corruption, profligacy, recklessness, and the attempted unconstitutional elongation of his legitimate two terms tenure, alias “third term gambit”. I tried so much to separate the message from the messenger, yet it was extremely difficult to comprehend.

Following from the above, Olusegun Obasanjo’s legacy is a topic of heated debate among Nigerians. Many question whether he deserves the heroism he seeks, especially considering his administration’s controversies and the perceived underperformance of subsequent regimes. Critics argue that Obasanjo’s self-portrayal as a hero is exaggerated and that his actions were often driven by personal interests rather than the nation’s well-being.

Some of the concerns raised about Obasanjo’s heroism include: Questionable Military Record: General Alabi-Isama, a fellow military officer, has disputed Obasanjo’s account of his military achievements, accusing him of lying about his role in the Nigeria-Biafra War. Obasanjo’s administration was marked by authoritarian tendencies, including the persecution of opponents and the suppression of dissenting voices. Critics argue that Obasanjo’s economic policies, including the privatization of state-owned enterprises, benefited his cronies rather than the Nigerian people.

Given these concerns, it’s understandable that many Nigerians are skeptical about Obasanjo’s claims of heroism. Some even view his attempts to portray himself as a hero as a desperate attempt to rewrite history and distract from his flaws. Ultimately, whether Obasanjo deserves heroism is a matter of personal opinion, but it’s essential to critically evaluate his legacy and consider multiple perspectives.

In conclusion, OBJ’s recent address at Yale University has further increased the level of agitation on failed leadership and failure to address challenges, which Obasanjo’s administration was criticized for its handling of the economy, with policies that benefited his inner circle rather than the Nigerian people. His attempts to amend the Constitution to extend his presidential tenure were widely seen as a power GRAB. The conduct of the 2007 Elections under his watch was marred by allegations of electoral malfeasance.

Many further argue that Obasanjo’s speeches and addresses lack fresh ideas and innovations and so offer nothing new, merely summarizing popular criticisms of Nigeria.

Obasanjo should, as an elder statesman that he is, be humble, and call for unity and progress rather than perpetuating self-justification and glorification. He should acknowledge his shortcomings and propose a way-forward. Nigeria’s growth and development require collaborative efforts, not individual aggrandizement.

Moving forward, Nigerians are determined to build a better future, despite the distractions of Obasanjo’s self-promotion. By focusing on innovative solutions and collective progress, the country can overcome its challenges and achieve greatness.

Finally, the responsibility of Nation-building rests squarely on the shoulders of all of us. It behooves us to find a  viable remedy for our ailing nation. For indepth insight into the myriad of problems bedevilling Nigeria and possible solutions, I recommend one of my books, ‘Nigeria Needs A New National Model’ published by Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany.

Richard Odusanya

odusanyagold@gmail.com