Brave, oratory and resilient in conviction, former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday, January 1, 2023, again proved why he remains the most influential statesman in Nigerian politics.
This follows the ex-leader’s letter to Nigerians on the New Year where he made a take and expressed his position on issues bordering on politics and national interest.
Nigeria is less than two months to its general elections, signalling the end of the eight-year tenure of incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari who came to power in 2015 after defeating his predecessor, the then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in an election that ushered in the first defeat of a sitting president.
Amid heightened tension towards the election, Obasanjo in a letter made available to the media by his aide Kehinde Akinyemi made his position known on some issues from Buhari’s tenure to the 2023 elections, among others.
Buhari’s tenure “eventful and stressful years”
The two-term former president and former military head of state stated in his letter that the administration of the President Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) did not meet the higher expectations of Nigerians as “we have moved from frying pan to fire.”
“The last seven and a half years have no doubt been eventful and stressful years for many Nigerians. We have moved from frying pan to fire and from the mountain top to the valley. Our leaders have done their best, but their best had turned out to be not the best for Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad. For most Nigerians, it was hell on earth.
“Those of us who are alive should thank God for His mercies, brace ourselves for the remaining few months of this administration and pray and work very hard for an immediate better future – a future of liberation, restoration and great hope and expectation.’’
Endorsement of Peter Obi
Obasanjo also declared his support for the candidature of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi.
According to the former leader, the former governor possesses a “track record of ability and performance.” He described Obi as a leader whose “vision is authentic; honest and realistic.”
“None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedents, their understanding, knowledge, discipline, and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.
“Others like all of us have what they can collectively contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria. One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.
“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. He has a young and able running mate with a clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.”
Emi lo kan a bad mentality of leadership
The popular political parlance “Emi lo kan — meaning “it’s my turn” was popularised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his letter, Obasanjo described the slogan as one which portends self-entitlement. He said such a mentality is bad for the polity.
“Let me say straight away that ‘Emi Lokan’ (My turn) and ‘I have paid my dues’ are one and the same thing and are wrong attitudes and mentality for the leadership of Nigeria now.
“They cannot form the new pedestal to reinvent and to invest in a new Nigeria based on an All-Nigeria Government for the liberation and restoration of Nigeria. Such a government must have representation from all sectors of our national life – public, private, civil society, professional, labour, employers, and the diaspora.”
Youth should take charge ahead of 2023
The former president also advised the Nigerian youths to take charge of the country’s future by electing competent leaders.
“My dear young men and women, you must come together and bring about a truly meaningful change in your lives. If you fail, you have no one else to blame. Your present and future are in your hands to make or to mar. The future of Nigeria is in the same manner in your hands and literally so.
“If for any reason you fail to redeem yourself and your country, you will have lost the opportunity for good and you will have no one to blame but yourselves and posterity will not forgive you. Get up, get together, get going and get us to where we should be. And you, the youth, it is your time and your turn. ‘Eyin Lokan’ (Your turn),” he stated.
