Attack of Onanuga by Bode George: Yorubas values on respect for elders taking too far, by Kola Amzat

Following that well-researched and thoroughly composed responses contained in the Piece of Bayo Onanuga on ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on account of the latter’s ill-conceived and misguided attacks on President Tinubu, as well as policies & programs of government about two weeks ago in faraway Yale University, America while making a presentation during Chinua Achebe leadership lectures, Elder Bode George had accused him of lacking in respect for elders, and went further to boldly declared that the former Director General of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) would soon pay for what retired Air Commodore termed act of indiscretion.

It would be recalled that Onanuga had responded swiftly in favour of the president questioning Obasanjo’s moral rights in attacking the programs/policies of the government, having himself presided over a despicable regime that inflicted the most heinous and worst electoral crime in history, upon Nigeria.

The presidential spokesman further accused Obasanjo of having penchant for unduly and mischievously critiquing policies of successive government after him, even, including those two (2) regimes he singlehandedly foisted and imposed on Nigerians.

Onanuga further lambasted the retired general of squandering humongous fortunes that divinely came the way of Nigeria with crude oil rising above $100 mark/barrel from Year 2000 and stabilizing at that price throughout the 8 years the regime of Owu high chief lasted.

What this writer is imploring Elder Bode George to do is to confirm to Nigerians which of the submissions of the presidential spokesman is not statement of fact, as well as not already in the public domain?

In-fact, the retired general committed more grievous havocs on the nation and citizenry far more than the few Onanuga chronicled.

It’s against this backdrop that the allegation of disrespect levelled against Onanuga is considered laughable, spurious, ill-conceived, unfortunate, and totally borne out of lack of appreciation of the weighty and enormity of act of treachery and debauchery blatantly committed against President Tinubu, the symbol of Nigeria sovereignty, power and authority, as well as against Nigeria nation, a country that has not only elevated and projected Obasanjo to national and global prominence, but, has equally afforded him stupendous wealth and fortunes, in cash and material resources, as well as vast estates all over, that could last his 1st, 2nd,  3rd and 4th generations.       

In any case, Onanuga response to Obasanjo recklessness was apt, germane, professional and ethical.

The astute and iconic Journalist of immense repute, was only carrying out the assignment he’s contracted, as well as operating in accordance with the demands of his office and terms of reference.

The allegation of disrespect levelled against him is idle talk, balderdash, pedestrian, diversionary and very unfortunate.

Elder Bode George should equally confirm to Nigerians how many past leaders of African continent, and even, other continents beyond Africa, take delight in continually ridiculing, embarrassing, as well as subjecting their country to scorn and derision at international fora as Obasanjo has been doing in the last three (3) decades?     

And, why is Bode George suddenly been hypocritical, anyway? Was he not the same Obasanjo who masterminded and orchestrated his imprisonment on spurious and phantom allegation of contract-split during his tenure as NPA Chairman?

Ex-president Obasanjo is one Nigerian past leader who obviously lives in glass house, but, preferring to be throwing stones at any slightest opportunity.

Under his watch, $16 billion, a whopping sum meant for repositioning and rehabilitating beleaguered power sector got misappropriated by the then PDP leadership hierarchy and top government officials.

The retired general oversaw the malicious transfer of national assets and several national monuments & heritage both locally and abroad to then Vice-president, Atiku Abubakar and his cronies, using the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as a veritable tool.

While Obasanjo was in charge, Odi, a sleepy community in Rivers state, got completely levelled and extinct. By now, he ought to have been prosecuted for this genocide at International Court in Hague for his wanton crime against the humanity.

His regime oversaw the declaration of Emergency rule in Ekiti and Ogun states, in a matter that could have been amicably resolved by a better- informed leader.

Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State is eternally estranged and disgusted with ex-president Obasanjo for orchestrating, as well as providing logistics and even, funding for his impeachment, that was totally borne out of lack of respect for democratic ethos and principles.

For emphasis, Olusegun Obasanjo ought to have seamlessly assumed the leadership of Yoruba nation, after the demise of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1986.  But, could this have been?

For decades, he’d elected to work against the interests of the Yorubas. Where do we start from?

He worked against Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his quest to assume leadership of the Nigeria. At the Apex Court, he indeed masterminded the destructive and disruptive 122/3 political gimmick in favour of Alhaji Sheu Shagari, the then NPN presidential candidate, a political manipulation that foreclosed Electoral College involvement in the process, where Awolowo would have triumphed.

Nigerians would vividly recall that he nailed the coffin for the restoration MKO Abiola historic presidential mandate freely giving by millions of Nigerians, with his despicable pronouncement that “MKO was not the messiah Nigeria needed”, a declaration widely regarded to have been borne out of envy, long-time hatred and jealousy on account of the towering figure of the late business mogul.

Of course, Nigerians are oblivious of his many battles with President Tinubu, when the latter was in charge of Lagos state.

The animosity between Obasanjo and the iconic & illustrious political giant continued with his blunt refusal to endorse the ex-Lagos state governor for presidency, when the latter, with his entourage visited him in Abeokuta in the build to the 2023 presidential election.

This is vintage Obasanjo who continually attempt to appropriate the nation as his fiefdom.

But, no king rules forever! For long, the retired general era has expired and he supposed to have presence of mind to appreciate this and leave when the ovation is loudest in order to avoid continuous embarrassment.

It’s important that the ex-president should get concerned more than ever before on what legacy/s he desires to bequeath on the nation after curtains might have been drawn on his sojourn on the planet of earth.

Where are the Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, Alexander the Great, Robert Mugabe, Sergeant Samuel Doe, Sani Abacha etc.

It’s those leaders’ actions or inactions that are today speaking for them negatively or positively after their demise!                               

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.