2023 Elections And Obasanjo’s Last Will -Tai Santos Akinloye

Few years ago, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had held court with party caucus of his do or die vehicle of power; and subtly asked the gathering that: Who is the greatest Yoruba man that has ever lived?

It was seen by some of the leading party faithful as a non harmful poser. But, to those who deeply understand the cunningness of their host, the question was not just harmful, it was incredibly acidic and a potent bobby trap.

And, like an opera singers obeying the dictates of the conductor, they all simply went mute. But, one of them, who was among the financiers of NADECO, the group that paved the way for the democracy, that Anlugbua later enjoyed as beneficiary, stood up unannounced and told the army general that the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the greatest Yoruba man that has ever lived!
Like a pin drop in the ocean, the party leaders were caught in awe and there was utmost silence that eventually led to the former governor being called many unprintable names by the general.

And, just few weeks after the face off, the same governor went to meet President Obasanjo and told him pointblank that he was not qualified to have asked for third term in office.

It was the confrontation that heightened the anger of the President. He vehemently vowed and swore by the gods that he will reduce the governor to nobody. And, few weeks after, the governor was impeached in a never seen before manner.

Since he exited the office of the president, he has allegedly taken statesmanship into tragic course, that is practically enveloped in narcissism.

His first fruit and daughter was indeed apt, when she described her father as ‘narcissistic megalomaniac personality’. And, she even ruled out further communication with him till death.

In 2019, the general wholeheartedly supported the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. A man he documented as a fraud and most corrupt person on the face of Nigeria.

No wonder, his daughter described him as a ‘liar, manipulator and two faced hypocrite’. Of all the past leaders still around, he might perhaps be thumbed down as the only one who has conducted himself unstatesmanlike as his chameleon’s ability has led him into changing to new environment every election circle.

And, many have asked: “What does Obasanjo want?” The answer gotten from the Anlugbua adherents is that as long as he lives, no Yoruba man will ever attain his status.

During the 1979 presidential election, he, as the sitting head of state was alleged to have worked assiduously behind the scene to see that Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) lost the election to Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Even, when the votes from the north were divided among the three strong candidates; Alhaji Shagari (NPN), Mallam Aminu Kano of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP).

Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe from the south east was the flagbearer of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) in the presidential elections.

In 1993, when Obasanjo’s kinsman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola contested under the platform of the old Social Democratic Party (SDP) and won, he said the late business mogul ‘is not the Messiah that Nigeria needs’.

He later connived with the military junta, who had annulled the election, to set up an interim government headed by the person he nominated. Few months after, the late Earnest Shonekan’svgovernment was kicked out by the dark goggled General Sanni Abacha.

General Obasanjo was nearly consumed by the uncertainty that prevailed in the country for over five years.

The likes of Ex- governor Rashidi Ladoja, whom he later impeached and swore to reduce to nothing, Senator Bola Tinubu, the late Bola Ige, the late Anthony Enahoro, the late Commodore Dan Suleiman, the late Pa Abraham Adesanya, the late Pa Alfred Rewane, Ayo Opadokun and many others assembled under the aegis of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and battled General Abacha’s government until they secured victory.

In 1999, General Obasanjo, who just came out of prison with N20,000 in his bank account, became the biggest beneficiary of the NADECO struggle – having won the presidential election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

And, for 8 years that he served as two term president, he never recognized nor honour the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 election, Chief MKO Abiola, who had been murdered in 1998, to clear the way for the power he enjoyed.

Even, in death, he never gave him (Abiola) any recognition, as he had sworn that as long as he lives, no person from his Yoruba nation will attain his height – as President of the country.

His decision to pitch tent with the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, is solely premised on his last wish, which is very sacrosanct to him.

But, who is he ‘who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?’