In a Descent Society, Obasanjo’s Letter to Jonathan is a Treasonable Offence-Onuesoke
Chief Sunny Onuesoke
Chief Sunny Onuesoke is an astute Environmentalist and Special Project Director, Delta State Governor’s Office. In this interview with our correspondent, the PDP stalwart speaks on the letter of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo to Jonathan, the vision of Jonathan for Nigerians and his chances of clinching the Presidential ticket in 2015>
Excerpt
Sir, how do you assess the content of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan?
There is an element of inconsistency in the letter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck. There is an inconsistency in the sense that as a former head of state, he should not have sent the letter to the media. He was the one that is instrumental to the installation of President Goodluck Jonathan. If Jonathan is doing things that are not in the right perspective, the normal things for him to do is that he would have gone straight to Jonathan and discuss the issue over with him. He has assess to Aso Rock. He would have gone to him to say my son what is happening? You are derailing instead of going to the press to wipe up sentiment and put unwanted colouration on issues that are not suppose to be issue. I am only against him going to the public to display such a letter.
In the letter, Obasanjo has advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to go for second term. He said although Jonathan has the constitution right to context but he should stand on what he told him and other Nigerian elites that he would not contest for second term. What is your take on this advise?
It is not Obasanjo that will tell Nigerians that Jonathan will not be contesting as President in second term. It is Jonathan that will tell the 150 million Nigerians if he will context or not and we will believe. Even, if Obasanjo has a private discussion with the President that is not an issue before the masses. It is the responsibility of Nigerian masses for Jonathan to consult us but not an individual. Nigeria is bigger than Obasanjo and anybody he claimed Jonathan consulted. He is wrong to say Jonathan should not go for second term. Did he consult anybody before he wanted to go for third term. When the masses resisted him did he agree? Why doesn’t him wait for the masses to resist Jonathan not to go for 2015? Are the Northern elites and governors dictating to Nigerians who is going to be the leader of this country? For Christ sake, it is we that Jonathan should consult and not Obasanjo and few elements. It is unacceptable to Nigerian masses. Let it be known that I am speaking on behalf of Nigerian masses. I am not speaking for the elites, the politicians or those in appointment. It is we the masses that will decide if Jonathan will contest or not and not few elements like Obasanjo and his cohorts.
Before now, Obasanjo has been antagonizing Jonathan in his paste statements. Do you think he has any hidden agenda against President Jonathan?
He couldn’t have been attacking Jonathan because he is not legitimate enough to attack the President. The things Jonathan has done are projects of legacy. What did he do when he was a President? He privatise Nigerians into private hands. He promised to give NEPA for eight, but he left it worst than he met it. He ran down the economy and infrastructures of the country. But today the railways are running. Electricity is almost constant. Obasanjo killed the national airline. But today we are about setting up the national airline. And he is telling me he has the legitimacy to challenge the President. Can Obasanjo compare his report of eight years to that of Jonathan for four years? What are we talking about? It is high time we search for answers. No man, nobody is bigger than Nigeria. Not even Obasanjo or Jonathan. The decision of this country lies on 150 million people of this country, but not selected few elites who arrogate power to themselves selfishly.
He also accused Jonathan of encouraging corruption. What is your take on such statement?
Has he forgotten the role he played using the EFCC to witch hunt people and impeach governors without following the constitution. What are we talking about? That Jonathan is not fighting corruption? That Jonathan must remove a Minister before he will know that Jonathan is fighting corruption. Fighting corruption is a systematic approach. You do not bounce on people without substantial evidence. The processes are on. How many people does he fight corruption with when he was President?
No fewer than 37 PDP members of House of Representative recently defected to APC and this no doubt showed that PDP is losing its grip in the House. As a PDP stalwart, what is the implication of the defection to your party?
What are the popularity of those PDP members who defected to APC in their constituency. You would have asked if members of House of Assembly defected along with them? You would have asked if their Deputy Governors defected along with them? Those who defected, did they win their election to the House of Representative? What is the integrity of those members who defected? What is their popularity? The numbers of 37 members who defected to APC are insignificant to Nigerian swing vote. You do not look at someone defecting. Look at the followership. They were not representing the people. They defected for their personal selfish gain. They knew quite well that they cannot come back to the house because of their lack of popularity and acceptance to their people. They defected because their people rejected them. They did not defect because there was something wrong with PDP.
People are arguing that their defection might have effect in Jonathan’s coming back in 2015. Did you think along the same line?
It is absolutely wrong. Basically wrong. It is wrong in the sense that their defection gave Jonathan more popularity. Their defections make Nigerians to believe that they are in the House for their self interest.
We are approaching 2015 and watching the political scenario, where do you think the pendulum is swinging to in term of the Presidential election?
It is a very obvious thing. I told you that President Goodluck Jonathan is coming for another four years and after that it is going to the East. After the East ruling for eight years, it will go to Middle Belt. We cannot negotiate it. It is the peoples’ wish. That is what Nigerians wanted. Nigerians are calling for Jonathan to come for another four years. They are clamouring for Ibos for eight years. The same Nigerians are saying it will then be the turn of the Middle East. Like what I said in one of my media chat, in the next twenty years, the presidential seat will an affair of Jonathan, South-East and the Middle Belt. It is not negotiable because the 150 million Nigerians have spoken. As a point of correction, the elites have nothing to do with the future of Nigeria. So if the 150 million Nigerians speak that is all. As I am here, I am speaking the mind of 150 million Nigerians from the North to the South, from the East to the West. I want to be very authoritative. I am saying this after due consultation. The pendulum must swing like that. Jonathan four years, East eight years and Middle Belt eight years.
Sir, it looks as if you have been talking in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan. What did you think he has achieve to deserve the encomium?
I want to repeat something here to you. I am not crazy about my President, President Goodluck Jonathan. I am not mad about his personality. I am not marvel by his person. But, I want to tell you something. I am crazy about his focus for Nigerian development. I am crazy for what Jonathan is seeing beyond what Nigeria cannot see. This is a human who has a vision for Nigerians in the next 200 years. He is setting up the foundation from science, social-economical and politically. I want to repeat something to you that Jonathan is the sole integrity force of Nigeria. I do not want to meet or see him, but I am crazy for his vision and implementation. This is one man I dough my hat for. Sometime, I do call him the Nigerians Obama. It remind of those astute leaders of Israel. I am not a praise singer. Get one fact very clear. I am from the minority state. If you insult a minority leader, you are insulting my blood and my spirit. I am crazy for his philosophy, his patience and dreams. He is one of the most vibrant leader Africans has ever produce.
Despite being antagonize by the opposition, what advise do you have for Jonathan so that he can be on track with his vision?
My advise for Jonathan is that he should be consistent and damn the consequences. He should go ahead to implement what God has instructed him to do for the betterment of 150 million Nigerians. He is not above being criticize, but the criticism should constructive. I wonder why somebody should come up, write an open letter and spread it to the media. In some descent society it is treasonable offence. My wish for him is that he should be consistent and go on with the development of Nigeria.
