BEVERLY HILLS, May 08, (THEWILL) – For a man who is arguably the most successful leader to have governed Nigeria as a military head of state and as an elected president, sticking out his neck to put out wildfires created by bad governance have not only become a trade mark but a consistent feature in his brinksmanship over the years.
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If it is not letter-writing to caution or criticise an administration or a government policy, it is spearheading a headhunt to get a ‘Mr Fix’ Nigeria.
It is in this light that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s current reported move to draft African Development Bank President, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, into the presidential race in 2023, should be seen.
Obasanjo has had a hand in the emergence of all presidents that have ruled this country in the new republic, either directly on indirectly. His singlehanded nomination of late Umaru Yar A’dua, and former President Goodluck Jonathan is legendary.
Yar’Adua, his successor, had just finished his second term as governor of Kaduna State when Obasanjo drafted him into the presidential race, following the strong opposition to his support for the presidential aspirations of the ex-governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili.
As president of the dominant and almost the only party in the country at a time, Obasanjo’s word was law, even though he often faced some opposition within the party, like the self-succession plan that was opposed by his Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani. He indirectly participated in the success of the current President Muhammadu Buhari by giving the latter his support after he had dramatically exited his party, the PDP, whose membership card he publicly tore to pieces. In fact, the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, called Obasanjo the ‘Navigator of the Nation, during a visit of the APC leadership to Abeokuta, to seek Obasanjo’s endorsement of Buhari in 2015.
With the worsened insecurity and virtual collapse of governance in the country, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is said to be walking the political circuit across the geo-political zones in the country to sell the suitability of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and former dynamic Minister of Agriculture, as president in 2023.
The move comes as the former head of state reportedly failed to convince Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and former Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State to sink their individual political ambitions for the common interest of their party, the PDP, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Tambuwal and Kwakwanso, are known to be eyeing the presidential race and are ready to tackle former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who has long declared his interest for a one-term presidency, giving age as a reason. The PDP platform has suddenly become attractive to stakeholders, following the insecurity, poverty and mass unemployment in the country, this newspaper has learned.
Even so, the move is said to be facing resistance from big wigs within the ruling elite who also have their preferences, ahead of the politicking in 2023.
Faced with rising opposition to his proposal to draft Akinwunmi, reports say Obasanjo is believed to be considering another platform that may comprise factions of the two big parties.
There is some uncertainty as to the veracity of the move which place it in the realm of speculation as THEWILL has learned, but given Obasanjo’s past in this regard, the move may be connected with the general aspiration of the ruling elite to find solutions to the lingering problems in the country.
“It is speculation. Did we react to the reports when it broke?” said Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, Media aide to Obasanjo in response to enquiry by THEWILL. “If you want to go ahead with your story, please feel free to do so. OBJ is a news maker any day, whether it is about something positive or negative.”
A newsmaker, indeed. On Wednesday, May 5, Obasanjo opened up on his views about 2023. At his Penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library premises in Abeokuta, he played host to the Tiv Professional Group, led by Prof. Zocharys Anger Gundu.
Prof. Gundu, in a paper presentation, made available to THEWILL, decried the killing of innocent Nigerians in Benue State by those suspected to be herdsmen and bandits. He called on the former president and other eminent personalities in the country to wade into the situation.
Gundu, who called for the payment of compensation to victims of killings and destruction in Tivland while also calling for the proscription of armed Fulani groups and intensified advocacy against nomadic pastoralism and hosting, stated there were different shades of instability in the country.
He said, among other things, “ While the Nigerian state grapples with insecurity and the current Nigerian challenge, there is need for ALL nationalities, big and small, to reaffirm their commitment to the rebirth of our country on a level playing field which will ensure nation building in which every citizen will matter and get the full protection of the state.
“This is the time for ALL patriots to stand and bind together to salvage the country. The Tiv Professionals Group stands with patriots. But in a situation in which it becomes impossible to recover from the brink and the Fulani are bent on enslaving others, we will be left with no choice but to take our destiny into our hands.”
In his response, the former President said 2023 would be the decisive year that will either bring about the emergence of a new federation or make the country slide into dissolution. For him, stakeholders must join ranks to overcome the current national crisis so that the country does not slide into war and eventual breakup.
Obasanjo said: “I do believe that whatever else we do, we have to make the year 2023 a watershed for Nigeria. The year 2023 should give us the beginning of the emergence of a new federation or a feeling that if the rot continues, and then, we are going to be sliding into dissolution. God forbid.”
He expressed fears for the current security crisis in the country and the impact it may have on the minorities, as well as the need for a leadership with a vision and humanness that can hold the diverse, multi-ethnic peoples together.
“I believe that if we will get it right in Nigeria, any leader must look at Nigeria with the prism of diversity. For as long as you look at Nigeria with the prism of your ethnic group, then you aren’t going anywhere; either your ethnic group or religious group. “But is there hope? There is hope.”
Prof. Gunda in a chat with THEWILL after the Wednesday meeting between Obasanjo and the Tiv Professional Group, said the former president did not show any indication that he was spearheading a campaign for anybody, ahead of the 2023 general election.
“No, he did not say such a thing or anything close to it. He was not political though like everyone one of us, he came across as if we had some good political leadership, we would not have been in this mess today. On that point, I agree with him. Leadership is critical in our recovery from the brink.”
Whatever it is, the coming days would reveal the true state of things, especially in the face of current calls and proposals for a sovereign conference on the state of the nation.
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About the Author
Amos Esele is the Deputy Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
