Politics
Obasanjo: Riding In The Tide Of History
Former President
Olusegun Obasanjo, February 17, 2015 made world news as usual, when he finally dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with an unprecedented party membership card-tearing act before the full glare of journalists at his Abeokuta home. Baba’s bidding farewell to PDP was long over-due, but the way and manner of his exit, many believe, was rather absurd and dishonourable.
At the visit of party leaders from his Ward II of Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State, Obasanjo directed his ward chairman, Alhaji Sunmonu Oladunjoye to tear his party membership card, apparently to demonstrate his final decision to quit PDP and prefer to remain a statesman.
Some had celebrated Obasanjo’s severance from the PDP, especially the opposition – All Progressives Congress (APC), yet many others took the ex-president’s act to the cleaners for “displaying act that are contradictory to his status as a statesman of international repute and ex-leader of this country.”
Rightly, the ex-president deserves a place in the history of PDP and he cannot run away from its shadow – the good and the bad of the party. After his incarceration on the allegation of plot to overthrow General Sani Abacha regime, Obasanjo was offered the PDP presidential ticket on a platter of gold as a “settled issue between the military and political establishments to pacify the South West that was angered by the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election widely acknowledged to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola,” whose death in custody remains a mystery.
Throughout the eight-year rule of Nigeria, the words of Obasanjo were laws and he demonstrated this, among others, with the seizure of federal allocation to Lagos local government councils even when the Supreme Court described such seizure as illegal. Those who had differences with him were not spared. PDP governors including Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau) were impeached, using federal and state agents.
His influence at the National Assembly was over-bearing such that the leadership of the two legislative chambers became the barber’s chair. It was not surprising that the senate alone produced five presidents in Obasanjo’s eight years tenure. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was alleged to be a tool in the hands of Obasanjo and perceived enemies were nailed or chased about, while others were forced out of the PDP.
The sun, however, set for the ex-president when he failed to stage-manage his third term bid in office. Even his mastermind in the amendment of the PDP constitution that only former president would be eligible to chair the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) did not last long in the power chess game and when he realised that there were plans to amend the party’s constitution, he quickly resigned as BoT chairman in 2012 which made his political ally, Chief Tony Anenih to regain his position in 2013.
More than these, Obasanjo’s stay in the PDP had been eventual. He militarized the party to the extent that internal democracy became an aberration, one of which is the K-leg saga in Rivers State. The former president however became the worst critic of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, whose ascension to the highest office in the land was almost single-handedly orchestrated by Obasanjo.
If Obasanjo was not accusing Jonathan of corruption, the former president attacked the latter of training snipers, fanning the ember of ethnicity and plotting to cling to power at all means. President Jonathan’s response to the accusation of his former boss exposed Obasanjo as a man playing the gods in the wake of national woes of which he is part of.
There was no love lost between Obasanjo and his political godson, Jonathan and every attempt at reconciling the differences always, ended in widening the gap even as the ex-president’s loyalists in the PDP national working committee (NWC) were gradually phased out.
Going by political details, it was obvious that Obasanjo, who gradually withdrew from the party activities, had lost bearing in PDP power house, coupled with the fact that Jonathan was no longer ready to take orders any more from him.
Pre-emptive of a planned expulsion, Obasanjo decided to walk out of PDP before being disgraced. Political analysts say Obasanjo’s exit from the PDP “is the climax to the irreconcilable differences between him and Jonathan.” According to the New Telegraph of February 17, 2015, Now that the bull is finally out of the China’s shop, “the PDP may be ready to get the peace it craves for taming the power of its leader in the party affairs.”
While it may not be possible to get rid of one’s history, Abimbola Adelakun (The Punch February 19, 2015), said Obasanjo’s reason for quitting his erstwhile party only reflects his nature: self-righteous, self vindicating and zero reflection. But more than that, the self-righteousness of Baba also betrays his inglorious indispensable nature that the world revolves around him.
Though, the Ogun State PDP said the party would not miss the exit of the former president whom it described as “lacking electoral value,” the national leadership of the party wondered “what manner of provocation would have led a former president to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the membership card of the party that he once led.” However, the PDP leadership has not forgotten that “it was the PDP’s political machinery that rescued Obasanjo after his incarceration and made a prince out of him.”
Statesmanship is earned by a person after years of noble acts to the nation, and “Obasanjo’s hyper-critical attitude to President Jonathan in recent times contradicts the clout and influence that a person of his standing should wield. It speaks volumes of personal animosity and hatred to the person of Nigeria’s current leader” (New Telegraph, February 17, 2015).
Furthermore, the newspaper wrote that the tearing act desecrates the statesmanship Obaanjo has garnered as a man of history. Lest we forget, it was Obasanjo that received the instrument of surrender by the former secessionist Biafra. He is the first Nigeria military leader to handover to a democratically-elected president and the only Nigerian to become a president after serving a prison term.
The way and manner the ex-president went about his severance from the PDP prompted Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State to describe “Obasanjo’s behavior as a manifestation of old age.” The Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark equally berated the former president for acting irresponsibly by tearing PDP membership card – a document that brought him into power and sustained him in office.
Expectedly, the APC lauded Obasanjo’s action, saying that his dramatic exit from PDP signaled the end of the party’s influence in the Nigerian political landscape. In a statement in Akure, the Ondo APC Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Adesanya, said Obasanjo’s action was symbolic of freedom from the PDP that Nigerians had been craving for.
But the PDP would not see anything the party stands to lose with the exit of Obasanjo from the ruling party essentially because “Obasanjo’s exit is a good riddance to bad rubbish,” as Governor Fayose said. According to him, Obasanjo shouldn’t just tear his PDP membership card; he should also relinquish the ownership of Bell University, Obasanjo Farms, Obasanjo Presidential Library and other financial benefits he got during his presidency.
It may not be for nothing that the Balogun of Owu has always dramatized his criticisms of Jonathan administration, but the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu said Obasanjo’s accusation against President Jonathan administration smacks of hypocrisy. The Lagos monarch said “all the accusations the ex-president is making now, he (Obsanjo) initiated them, nurtured them and masterminded them and now he is complaining,” adding that Nigerians cannot be fooled again by Obasanjo’s holier-than-thou attitude.
No doubt, Obasanjo worked so hard in the military to earn him an honour, but when he decided to drag the military into the country’s political waters, he got what he did not bargain for. The authorities of Defence Headquarters (DHQ) described Obasanjo as an embarrassment to the military institution. The ex-president was credited with a statement that the general elections were shifted on security excuse in order to perfect plan by the Presidency to secure tenure extension.
“Obasanjo’s utterances lately indicate an attitude of playing to the gallery or indulging in politicization of serious national security or military affairs,” the DHQ said in reaction to Obasanjo’s comments. It added that the military personnel have moved beyond the parochial and self-adulating reasoning and mindset of Obasanjo’s era in the military to today’s appreciation of the essence of democracy and its indispensability for the stable and prosperous society Nigerians cherish. (The Punch, February 17, 2015).
Whether or not ex-president Obasanjo is new to dramatising events, he is riding in the tide of history. But what is not certain, however, is whether the honour Baba is trying to protect to relish will appreciate in course of time, especially in the light of his recent actions and inactions only time will tell.
Samuel Eleonu
Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo
Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Network, the group described the ruling delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu as unfair and contrary to the spirit of democracy, urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people in its final determination of the matter.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday, October 30, sacked Gummi for defecting from the PDP, which sponsored his election, to the APC.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu held that it was morally wrong for a politician to transfer votes from one political party to another, stating that “political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
He declared that voters elect candidates based on the manifestos and ideals of their political parties. Therefore, it was both legally and morally unacceptable for an elected official to abandon that platform without relinquishing the mandate.
The court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Hon. Gummi as a member of the House, and ordered him to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 30, 2024, to the date of judgment.
Justice Egwuatu further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, who argued that Hon. Gummi’s defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as there was no division within the PDP to justify his action.
But convener of the coalition, Lukman Muhammad, who addressed journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, said Hon. Gummi’s defection was a direct result of the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which, according to him, crippled the lawmaker’s ability to effectively represent his constituents.
He said: “We believe the court’s decision was unjust and failed to consider the circumstances surrounding Hon. Gummi’s defection. Gummi’s decision to join the APC was necessitated by the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which hindered his ability to effectively represent his constituents.
“We affirm that Hon. Gummi’s right to choose his political affiliation is protected by the Constitution and should be respected. We stand for democracy and the rule of law, while also urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people and the greater good”.
He urged Justice Egwuatu to review the judgment, stressing that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent that undermines the principle of fair representation and the rights of elected officials.
The coalition further noted that the judgment has broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, as it raises questions about the extent to which lawmakers can exercise their constitutional freedom of association without fear of losing their mandate.
The parties stated that the APC was on the verge of collapse following the recent wave of defections from opposition parties into its ranks.
In separate interviews with The Tide source, spokespersons for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) —Debo Ologunagba, Oladipo Johnson, and Mark Adebayo – respectively, said an implosion was imminent in the APC.
But the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that recent defections to the party were voluntary and inspired by the ruling party’s achievements, not through coercion. He added that the APC was well-structured, capable of managing its internal affairs effectively, and therefore would not experience any internal crisis.
In recent months, the ruling APC has continued to receive several high-profile politicians from opposition parties, particularly the PDP. Among those who have joined the APC are Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Most recently, members of the Enugu State Executive Council defected to the APC, a move followed by Governor Peter Mbah’s official declaration for the ruling party on October 14 in Enugu.
On October 15, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, announced his resignation from the PDP. Although he has yet to join another party, speculation is rife that he is on his way to the APC.
Similarly, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, confirmed last Wednesday that he would be joining the APC.
Numerous other politicians, including several lawmakers, have also abandoned their parties to align with the ruling APC.
In his reaction, Hon. Ologunagba predicted an imminent crisis within the APC, expressing confidence that those who defected would eventually return to the PDP.
He stated, “This is the major political party (PDP), and it is the only democratic party in the country. It has structures cutting across all the local governments, all the wards, and of course all the states. In every home, there are members of the PDP, and that is why the APC are jittery, and that is why they are coercing our members, using state resources and state agencies to force members of opposition parties to join the ruling party.
“But in all this, we are sure and confident that very soon, the APC will implode because it is a multipurpose political vehicle that is not going to last. It is going to implode.
“Many Nigerians will see through it and know that the party is not a political party that protects the interests of the citizens. So, they are going to leave the party and move to the major political party, which is the PDP. We are optimistic that before 2027, many Nigerians will join us because this is the truly democratic party and the only party that is out there to protect their interests.”
On his part, Mr Johnson of the NNPP lamented that the wave of defections posed a serious threat to the country’s democracy.
Mr Johnson said, “This is bad for democracy. For our type of democracy, it is important to have a proper and effective opposition. Already, we’ve seen a blurring of lines between the legislature and the executive; some would even say the judiciary. I hope not. I think many people are observing the trend and are unhappy. However, we need to be a bit more patient and see what happens soon.
“When the PDP was in power for 16 years, it was the party many people rushed into. Over time, it imploded, and many of those who joined it turned against it. So, I see that happening to the ruling APC. Definitely. This is because of the nature of Nigerian politicians; many are driven by personal interests. I always say that Nigeria can never truly be a one-party state. Even if only one party exists, it will become factionalised, with different interests and power blocs. Those pushing the country toward a one-party system may not have studied Nigeria’s political history carefully.”
In his remarks, CUPP’s Adebayo stated that the pattern of defections among politicians, particularly governors and lawmakers, was a deliberate strategy by the ruling party to transform the country into a one-party state.
Mr Adebayo said, “It is not accidental; it is a deliberate and strategic effort to entrench a one-party dictatorship. Whether these defections are forced or coerced, one thing is clear: it is an intentional action driven by the ruling party, particularly the President.
“This development is unhealthy for our democracy. It is shameful and stands against everything democratic principles represent. It is inimical to the growth and development of Nigeria as a democratic nation and poses a grave threat to our political stability.
“The implosion of the APC will come before or once it loses power. Most Nigerian politicians lack ideological grounding or principles; their loyalty lies only with the party in power. Political affiliation is tied to ideology and conviction, not convenience. However, the ideology of most politicians is simply the ruling party. If tomorrow the ADC, Labour Party, or SDP wins the presidency, many of these same politicians will abandon the APC overnight. They have no shame, no conviction, and no conscience. Their only motivation is proximity to power.”
In response, Mr Ibrahim of the APC maintained the APC would not face any internal crisis, asserting that it has the capacity to effectively manage its affairs, unlike the opposition.
He stated, “The fact that the opposition are not organised and they cannot organise primaries, neither can they manage their parties, does not mean we are on the same boat with them. Our party, the APC, has been conducting primaries successfully and rancor-free.
“So, the fact that they don’t know how to manage their party does not mean that is the way we run our own party. The APC does not coerce anyone to join. Those joining are doing so willingly because of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope achievements. Our party is fully prepared. It’s not going to implode; it’s not going to have any issues similar to the issues they have been having.”
Senator Ndume, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, accused both the executive and legislative arms of complacency, saying their failure to proactively engage the United States government on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria led to the development.
The senator recalled that he had earlier sponsored a motion in the Senate on “Christian genocide” in the country. The motion, he said, led to resolutions mandating the Nigerian government to engage the U.S. with verified facts and figures.
President Trump, last Friday, announced the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over alleged persecution of Christians.
President Trump made the announcement via a post on his Truth Social platform, which was also shared on the official White House X handle.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” President Trump wrote.
But the Nigerian government swiftly rejected the claims, insisting that President Trump’s assessment did not reflect the true situation in the country.
However, Senator Ndume accused the President Tinubu’s administration and the Senate of treating the allegation raised by US lawmaker, Riley Moore, with complacency, prior to President Trump’s declaration, and urged the federal government to take urgent steps to engage the US government with facts and figures on the activities of terrorists organisations which, he noted, were blind to faith.
“I have alerted the government, I even moved a motion. Nigeria is a sovereign state, it isn’t about what the United States can do to us, but about the misconception and the ripple effects of classifying us as a country of concern.
“We should engage the American government by presenting facts and figures. By engaging the US government, we should demand that they hear the other side of the story from the Nigerian government and the Muslim community. Muslims have been killed too. The genocide isn’t against Christians but Nigerians generally,” he said.