TheCable

Two days ago, the media was flooded with the content of a new letter written by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on the state of the nation directed to President Buhari. Chief Obasanjo, a Statesman and man of many letters, in his characteristic manner raised a lot  of issues which his foes had termed bombshell and few friends had considered timely advice. But does he really a moral justification  to do this?

Whichever camp we belong, the question in the mind of this writer is who really gave Chief Obasanjo the right to write his usual letter to  different administrations  since President Shehu Shagari till date? This in the light of the fact that  he himself had greater opportunities to right the wrongs but misused them according to some.

Students of history will know writing letters seem to be favourite hobby of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He seems to have a penchant for letter writing a well as doing ‘long throat’ in matters which mother nature had been so good to  him for  by offering him a platter of gold  to set clear example  others could follow but he mismanaged such opportunities. This is according to  opinion of  some of his critics too.

In reply to his letters, he had given knocks on the head by several people including erudite Olusegun Adeniyi amongst others. Lai Muhammed on behalf of the federal government also insinuated Chief Obasanjo had been very busy to notice Buhari’s administration success stories. Many had said  his motive was to condemn every other administration except his by comparing his achievements and placing them side by side with different administrations so he could tell them what they were not doing right.  Some also retorted  if he is such a good letter writer, it would have been good to read stuff like ‘letter to self’ during his 8 years rule as civilian. Even if this was  for record purpose at least.

Other concerned individuals had  also said what has been the major achievements of his endeavour as a letter writer since he started out his letters from Shehu Shangai then to Mohammed Buhari during his Military rule to Babangida when he counseled the  Structural Adjustment programme needed human face? Unfortunately Abacha had no patience to read any letter from him as he put him in jail with intention of his eventual execution. Late President Musa Yar Adua was also slightly spared because of his constant ill health while in power. But President Jonathan was not so lucky as his administration got a good dose of advice and knocks through Chief Obasanjo’s letter.

Be that as it may, this writer feel many who are criticising  Chief Obasanjo may not be totally correct. One, he has a fundamental right of speech and expression as long as he is not breaking any law. Also we need  to know evil prevails when people who know  what is right and  what to say remain silent when they ought to speak out.  The challenge I have seen with our society is  we love to throw the baby away with the bath water. Yes, many of his critics did say if everyone is pricing with the aim of buying a dyed clothe, a bed wetter should not come near. But I have come to realise our society miss great opportunity in the learning process because a labelled  ‘failure’ is seen as totally useless to himself and the society. If nothing at all, a failure can teach us a lot about what will not work in the journey to success. I must submit Chief Obasanjo is not a failure as some will want us to believe irrespective.

Come to think of who gave Chief Obasanjo the the right  to write letters to leaders of various administrations.  One needs not to look too far. Many of the Nigerian leaders he had written to are like  proverbial siblings who allow people to insult one’s father and dis-empower one to give appropriate  answer. For instance there is nothing unusual in many of the issues Chief Obasanjo raised that common people on the street are not concerned about only that when they voice such opinion it  does not carry the weight attached to Chief Obasanjo’s letters. To avoid reading letter from Chief Obasanjo why has it been so difficult for or leaders to put people at the centre of governance?

In addition why is it so difficult to reduce poverty, get a grip  on governance? Why do government of the day allow the gap of  inequality  to grow wide? Why has corruption been allowed to reign with such impunity and why is division amongst our people  on ethnic and political ground  being fuelled by our politicians? Why is the special devil In Nigeria continue to rob us of good road network and other infrastructure? Why is our hospitals, education still  shadow of what they  used to be about five or six decades ago when we had influx of people from around the world who came here to study or be treated?

We guess many of the questions above gave Chief Obasanjo the right to write his letters as It is expected from any other average Nigerian who cares about this country.