|
Obasanjo and Mrs. Adelaja By I have always known that Mrs. Adelaja would embarrass herself and President Obasanjo. That she finally did it was no surprise to me. But what was surprising though was that she chose to call former Nigerian soldiers "traitors". By so doing she gave the word pardon a new meaning. In addition, she sterotyped the Igbos as buyers and sellers. She packed so much venom in those words that it begs the question, were those soldiers really pardoned. Did Obasanjo actually pardoned those soldiers or was it the same old politics Obasanjo has managed to pull off, time and time again: Say the right thing but never contemplate marching it with deeds. Remember that Enugu Airport has been elevated to International airport by our President. But when would work commence on that airport to "internationalized" it and actualize Obasanjo's promise. Obasanjo has been in the habit of pulling wool over our face when it comes to meeting the demands of the South East in equitable and just manner.
Perhaps we were a little slow but now we are beginning to comprehend his acts and utterances.
Mrs. Adelaja spoke for the administration. Have you had a mutter from our Commander- in-Chief. Those expecting a swift response from the President, the type he's known to give to those who hold views different from his, would have to wait for a very long time. Obasanjo would lie low while the wind of controversy generated by Mrs. Adelaja's comments would pass. And at the right moment Obasanjo would instead reward this very minister for being a loyal servant.
Who is this Mrs. Adelaja? Was she not the daughter of the most prominent Afenifere leader, would she have been placed at her current position? Juxtapose her qualifications and her experience with those of other female ministers and then draw the conclusions. If not for any other thing she is less politically astute than her counterparts in the current administration.
Mrs. Adelaja has embarrassed not just herself and Obasanjo but also her father, Mr. Abraham Adesanya, a great lawyer and an able leader. As the leader of Afenifere and Yoruba ethnic group he articulates their views on important national issues with such a force and eloquence that it resonates across the political spectrum. He treats other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria with respect. The Igbos have great respect for him. Mr. Adesanya talks with the Igbos and doesn't denigrate and stereotype them as his daughter has done. Thus Mr. Adesanya should feel appropriately embarrassed for his daughter's sophomoric utterance.
This is not the first time Mrs. Adelaja has publicly embarrassed her father. The first was when she was nominated for her current post, her father went public in advising her not to accept the nomination. Only few individuals have turned down ministerial appointments in Nigeria and Mrs. Adelaja was not ready to turn down this golden opportunity. But she could have offered cogent reasons why she was going against her father's wishes. She never did. Now the Igbos are asking for her apology. Being childishly stubborn, she wouldn't. But apology does not even cut it. She should reassess herself and her participation in the current administration and perhaps take an early unceremonious exit from this administration because another occasion would beckon and she would again embarrass herself, her father, the President and the nation. Senator Arthur Nzeribe was right on the button when he called for her immediate termination and other Senators need to match Nzeribe's courage.
Had Obasanjo spoken well of the Igbos and not taken the low roads each time he was opportune to address their concerns, perhaps Mrs. Adelaja could have been more circumspect in opening wide her mouth. What we have seen in Obasanjo is that he lampoons the Igbos and has encouraged prejudiced opinions to be spread against them. He seems to relish it all. One can picture Obasanjo toasting and high-five with his inner friends that he is dealing with the Igbos. But nothing can be as insane as that because the success of his Presidency does not depend on how badly he dishes the Igbos, instead it depends on how he can calm frayed nerves and give every Nigerian hope and a sense of belonging. This he has failed to do and time is running out.
The anxiety level in Nigeria is too high. Nobody is comfortable with the way things are. The President seems not to understand. Each time somebody makes a comment slightly uncomplimentary to the President, instead of encouraging a good healthy debate on the issues, the President attacks the individual in the most uncivil manner. He's wont to call people senile and irresponsible. Even though these individuals are perfectly sane and honorable, only voicing their opinions on current Nigerian situations. Each complaint of gross abuse and violation of individual liberty reaching the President is treated so cavalierly that one wonders is there anything that the President knows that the "irresponsible" Nigerian masses including the elite do not know. In fact the Nigerian masses should know more because they are the people who are wearing the shoes and they are saying it is uncomfortable. Shouldn't the President listen to them?
The depressing thing about Obasanjo is that he often picks small quarrels - like fighting with Prof. Aluko, Ojukwu or university professors - and in the process demeaning himself and the lofty office in which he occupies. He avoids staking a bold position on national issues like Sharia, the killing of the Igbos in the North, resource-control, the unemployment and underemployment of Nigerian youths, mass poverty, illiteracy, the weakening Nigerian economy, the continuing lost of value of our national currency, the thriving culture of corruption in Nigeria.
The President has a favorite target he loves to castigate - the Igbos. While he's doing that, his minions are watching and learning like the proverbial offspring of a cow watching and learning while their mother ruminates. The President sets the tone, if his tone is reconciliatory, fresh new air will blow across the nation. So far his tone has been inconsistently erratic and sometimes hateful. The likes of naïve Mrs. Adelaja could speak the way she did taking their clues from the President.
The anxiety level in the country must be reduced and the President should start the new- year setting the tone. The nation is now in shock over the recent killing of Bola Ige by unknown assassins. MAY BOLA IGE'S SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE. While the initial actions taken by the President are commendable in forestalling any riots that might ensue as a result of the death of the nation's Attorney General, important lessons must be learned. Any live is valuable and sacred and must be protected. Those behind this evil action must be exposed, regardless of their status in society, and brought to justice. Never again should the President sweep under the rug the killing of innocent Nigerians anywhere in Nigeria. Those behind the Sharia induced killing or Pro Taliban killing must also be exposed and brought to justice.
Let us begin the new-year with a new approach and a new way of doing things and the President needs to set the right tone and reduce the nation's anxiety. Mrs. Dupe Adelaja should be relieved of her ministerial appointment and that would be a beginning.
Olisa Adigwe Lowell, Massachusetts December 2001 |