Obasanjo Once told CNN: 3rd Term “Unconstitutional”

Last week as I was reviewing Mr. President past speeches, I stumbled on the interview he had with CNN sometime in 2004 or early 2005. He answered direct questions on this issue of third term, which has generated controversy even more than his performance. It was an interview that should have put stop to speculations surrounding the ambition of self-succession. Meanwhile Femi Fani-Kayode, Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, confused the debate when he said recently that “The Presidency will not comment on third term or no third term…” (The Punch Online, Tuesday, March 28, 2006). I think Mr. President had already spoken about his plan after leaving Aso Rock in 2007.

The Report

“Obasanjo 2nd term in office comes to an end in 2007. After that he says he retires to his farm and leaves it to the experts to judge his accomplishments and his place in Nigeria’s and Africa’s often turbulent history.” (Jeff Koinange, CNN Lagos bureau chief).

The Interview

Richard Roth: Will you push for constitution change to allow yourself to seek a third term?

Obasanjo     : No, I won’t push a constitution in that respect

Richard Roth: Will you possibly change your mind as you did before you first came to power after being free from jail…will you want a third term?

Obasanjo     : No, I won’t want a third term. It is unconstitutional.

Richard Roth: You don’t see a change of heart?

Obasanjo     : No

Richard Roth: It’s nice being a president

Obasanjo      : Oh, no, well it’s not nice being president. It’s nice having to do a job if you are really called upon to do that job. I didn’t want to be president last time. I was pleased being on my farm but when the pressure was there that I should and I em…I… I… I…had the call of duty.

Richard Roth: You said you’ll retire into the farm. Thank you very much.

Obasanjo      : (a cryptic smile?) And I hope to see you on my farm. 

My View

The first thing on my mind after listening to the interview was this: are Nigerians, especially those in the Diaspora deaf? Concerned Nigerians in the Diaspora led by Prof. Aluko should have known better. Why the need to write a stubborn president such a nationalistic letter with your signatures other than calling attention to yourselves. Pardon my transgression sirs/madam. I just think your super patriotic feelings will not change a heart that is marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield.  

At the same time, Obasanjo actions seem to be speaking louder than his voice on this matter. Obasanjo, who had earlier boasted he would not be intimidated or pressurized in releasing warlord Taylor for prosecution, has eventually consented. Perhaps there’s no connection between Obasanjo’s decision to withdraw Taylor’s asylum and this third term imbroglio. But Taylor escaped, caught immediately after Lord Bush had issued “fatwas” and made Taylor’s arrest as a condition for their publicised meeting. Is this not a political game? You never know with politicians.

Yet only those naive Nigerians would claim by now that Obasanjo has no intention to renegade on his promise to handover in 2007. Gowon did the same in 1974 when he refused to handover to a civilian government as promised. Babangida followed his footstep thrice before he was eventually chased away in 1993. Abacha also tried it before he went to the house of Hades. The other reality is the on-going amendment of the constitution from two terms to three terms of four years. That is why I am suspicious, and that is why my clothes are in sad shape.

Instead of dribbling around, Obasanjo should have hit us on the head by publicly state why the need for a change of heart. Anyway, as a soldier he doesn’t even need to seek our opinions. Let the man do whatever he thinks good for us. It is not true that no man is an island. Obasanjo is an island. If he dies today, he will rule from his golden grave. But God will not take him from us now. That will be a great tragedy and the hawks around him will starve to death. I mean, who else can help bring stability to a volatile region?

But is keeping Nigeria one not less of achievement than improving the dignity of the masses? Where is the wisdom in this marriage of convenience when there is no trust or confidence? What is their argument when citizens cannot even enjoy human basic amenities – water, health care, good road, and electricity? And this is the reason I have been talking in a tearful manner – not as a critic but as a citizen.

Already his supporters have made case for him here and there. Dr. Ahmadu Ali, PDP National Chairman, recently addressed the media highlighting the president’s achievements. Debt relief and achievements in the liquefied natural gas sector, his ability to have transformed the country from pariah state to a nation of great importance in the world, and especially the need for continuity of governance for improvement of social economic quality of life in Nigeria.

Dr. Ali forgot to mention anti-corruption campaign, but Femi Fani-Kayode came to the rescue, citing “massive progress in terms of domestic policies, economic reforms, the fight against corruption, and fiscal discipline and foreign policy” – as “our” accomplishments. (The Punch Online) 

Why are we behaving like “ungrateful” people? Who else has patriotic feeling to die for Nigeria? What is holding us back from crawling from our thatched roofs to Aso Rock and beg Obasanjo once again to rule us for donkey’s years? The man said he was pleased on his farm before we tempted him, and now we want him to leave? He said he had the call of duty, and until he finished it, Aremu must not go back to “our” Ota Farm.

“For goodness sake, all the debts that our great-grand children would have {owed} the white man have been cancelled under this government. We need this kind of good governance to move the nation forward. This is why the amendment to the constitution must be supported by every reasonable Nigerian,” says one hawk who is so grateful that God had sent Matthew to deliver Nigerians from the wilderness.

Do you expect Okikiola to fold his arms when his inheritance seems to be falling apart? That is why he needs to tinker with the constitution so as to rescue his properties and servants from destruction. I am beginning to understand the man. It is better for his ego, or for him to die than watch his prodigal sibling control the heritage he had soldiered all his life. How many  human beings will allow such irremediable calamity to happen to them?

Nigerians should think. Most notable citizens are in the habit of fighting half battles. They fought the Minna soldier to pave way for that lunatic in dark goggle. They fought that lunatic to pave way for Matthew. Now they seem to be fighting Matthew to pave way for the Minna coup plotter, who has barefacedly indicated his interest to occupy Aso Rock 2007.  

We should desist from fighting the ruling class just for the fun of it. We need to ask ourselves why our struggles always benefit them in the long run. Our struggle should focus on how to elect credible candidates instead of playing into the hands of 3rd term political trouble makers or other fake meliorists. Chief Gani Fawehinmi for example, should not use his valuable time fighting Babangida but use it to educate the masses about the significant of their votes.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Last week as I was reviewing Mr. President past speeches, I stumbled on the interview he had with CNN sometime in 2004 or early 2005. He answered direct questions on this issue of third term, which has generated controversy even more than his performance. It was an interview that should have put stop to speculations surrounding the ambition of self-succession. Meanwhile Femi Fani-Kayode, Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, confused the debate when he said recently that “The Presidency will not comment on third term or no third term…� (The Punch Online, ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 29.03.2006 21:36

DALLASITE

# 2 Mr Babalola, I concur with your view that we are wasting valuable time fighting 3rd term . Instead the civil groups should come together from all regions, educating the populace what is at stake instead of fighting on tribal bases. Since it seems PRONACO will not be able to do anything ( I do not trust Pa Enahoro....I think he is an opportunist). A smaller group would be more beneficial to set an agenda, chose a credible leader to lead us. People like Mr Soyinka, Gani, Umar, Abraxas and co should start educating the people from their ward. Put heads together, chose a candidate and educate the electorate on why we need to vote for such person so as to move the country forward. Let stop wasting energy on non issues. Posted by DALLASITE| 30.03.2006 09:19