GL: This is My Response!

So much has happened within the Nigerian polity in the last two weeks . The major catastrophic ones being the Gbenga Obasanjo's interview and denial; and the impeachment of governor Ladoja of Oyo state.
These two events smack of the impending downward slide of Nigeria's democracy toward the precipice.

Going back to the Gbenga Obasanjo's rather rude (even though denied) revelation and the Ladoja's impeachment, no one , and I mean no one, can still say the anti - corruption campaign cum targeting is not a selective excercise.
The son of the president himself indicted the corrupt but stupid governors who steal from the state confers and then dare to flaunt such wealth openly. In his words:

"Let's look at the corruption trial of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha...I think he is really dumb and stupid. He should have known that there is no way he could get away with stealing so much money from his state. He was daft and careless. But let me tell you that those people caught are the careless ones. There is so much corruption in Nigeria, and there are a lot of intelligent and smart corrupt people and then of course, the stupid one. Those are the ones who get caught. There are places in the world especially in the commonwealth of the former soviet republics where you can get a passport with a white name and a black face and no one will ever ask questions from you!"

Bottomline, Alamieyeseigha, Ladoja and maybe Tafa Balogun and others were not intelligent enough to steal wisely. It is an open and shut case! If you think you are smart enough to steal from the confers of government, go ahead, otherwise...
Thats the son of the President of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria Speaking. Yet, we are made to understand that Gbenga Obasanjo parades the corridors of Aso rock. With the benefit of hindsight, he knows better than the rest of us - outsiders.
Why have I revisited this issue,one might one to ask. I decided to revisit this issue because someone by the blog name GL left a comment on my blog ..."If I Were the president..." saying:

"Great poem. I don't agree with all of your points, however.

Charles Taylor for one, I think bringing him to Nigeria was good cos it stopped d fight in Liberia. If harboring one 'criminal' stopped the loss of so many lives I think it is great.

If we want to be truthful to ourselves, Obasanjo did not cause the either the Sosoliso or Bellview crashes. Neither is he responsible for the tear-gassing of the protesters. I dont even think the IG of police is responsible. The Nigerian Police's lawlessness is not a new thing.

Most of the problems we're facing in the country have been there 4 years b4 dis administration. While they may not have done enough, they've certainly done better. There are improvements.

We, Nigerians, always love to look for ppl to point fingers at but we are the problem. Afterall, the corrupt public office holders, policemen and military men are ALL Nigerians. The average Nigerian is corrupt and would not do better than Obasanjo. Since I was born we've had several leaders and we've always complained about them. Mostly the same things. Considering that there have been both Northerners and Southerners, I believe that they are more or less a reflection of the whole country. I know many will disagree with this, but the truth is, most of us Nigerians would support corruption, and justify it, if it favours us. Only when we do not stand to gain do we complain.

This isn't to say that Obasanjo isn't corrupt, but then Nigerians are. Even gatemen collect bribes to allow visitors into their companies now. When such ppl are exposed to billions of naira, what wil they do? This isn't restricted to the poor. The rich do worse in secret and come out to criticize government.

Some ppl say I support Obasanjo. No, I criticize his actions sometimes. However, I like him because he is one of the most detribalized Nigerians I've seen.I'm sorry to say dis, but especially for a Yoruba man. The corruption and economic situation in the country is bad enough. Adding tribal prejudice can be really terrible. I'm from a minority group so I'm talking from experience."
Posted by GL | 1:59 AM


Its rather unfortunate that your blog is incomplete and so I can't formally respond to your comment on the " if i were the president..." except through this means:

However, I am hoping you will visit my blog again and probably read this.

Governanace is all about responsiblity. The buck must stop at the president's desk. Period.
Thats why the blame is heaped on the shoulders of whosoever occupies the hot sit of the president if things go wrong.
If things work out fine and properly in the country however, he takes the credit.
It is the height of naivity to say Obasanjo who you can not separate from Nigeria for now should not be blamed if things go wrong in the country. Afterall, he is not also the one executing personally some of the economic policies we have credited to him.

That Charles Taylor was whisked to Nigeria, and peace is now retored in Liberia, we commend all those involved in that process. But the story should not end there. He must face charges for the role he played in the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Liberians and other nationals.

I agree with you that some Nigerians at the top or bottom of the ladder are corrupt. But this should not stop people from criticising the ills associated with governance. In fact,constructive criticism is healthy for those in authority.
It makes them stand on their toes and not their heads constantly.
If we see something good with any adminitration and say so, it does not mean we are apologists of such administration.

Obasanjo's administration has scored some positives no doubt. We would want him to do more and more and more!