Obasanjo’s 18-page Letter

Since Olusegun Obasanjo’s 18-page missive to President Goodluck Jonathan came into the public domain mid last week, there have been reactions of diverse shades.

While some believe that the issues evoked in the letter are pertinent and timely, some others have taken the path of cynicism by questioning the moral status and rectitude of he who wrote the letter, perceiving the letter as politically motivated designed to deal decisively against the political career of Goodluck Jonathan or at best a cheap way of becoming a people’ hero.

However, whatever the reactions or perceptions to Obasanjo’s historic letter, it is evident that certain issues evoked in the letter are crucial and should not be glossed over by any concerned Nigerian.

On the attitude of Jonathan’s government to corruption raised in Obasanjo’s letter, concerned and observant Nigerians and even the international community have been witnesses to the lack lustre attitude of Goodluck Jonathan’s government towards official corruption, the lame nature of the EFCC since the inception of this current federal government, and the penchant to make frequent reference to ‘powerful people’ who perpetrate crude oil theft in the country.

Even before Obasanjo’s letter went public, the issue of the alleged non-remittance of $7 billion accruing from crude oil sales by the NNPC to CBN has been in the public domain and as usual official denials have trailed this allegation and this issue like all other corruption scandals may die down and the perpetrators emerging as persecuted heroes.

The real worry about Nigeria’s oil industry is beyond this singular case of non-remittance. It is more of the case that while other oil rich nations have judiciously used the huge financial resources derived from crude oil sales to develop infrastructure, and other sectors of the economy thus steadily creating other sources of revenue, sadly, Nigeria has run the oil industry aground, squandered the petrodollars and have succeeded in having an oil industry that has no positive multiplier effect on the general economy.

With many more countries having crude oil and even more refined shale oil and gas to sell, in addition to the steady divesting by IOCs, Nigeria’s future with oil is unsure.

On the continuing menace of Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern region which is threatening internal security in the country, questions have since been raised before now on why the insurgency has not been put under control irrespective of the huge deployment of military capacity and enormous state resources. Nigerians have raised concerns before now on the futility of a wholesale military conquistador approach and the poor deployment of intelligence services in the fight against the insurgency. The frittering of human lives and property, and the harm this terrorist operations have done to the economy of the entire north east region are alarming. Yet the political leadership appears unperturbed and more fixated on parochial and self serving political agenda.

Nigeria in all ramifications is bigger than any individual or group. And the overall interest of Nigerians is more important than any individual, group or sectional goal.

If our leaders do not already feel it, it is evident that Nigeria is increasingly being perceived by the international community as a country bereft of the required leadership capacity. Our leaders are now being derided, avoided and ridiculed even at times when they should walk proudly. Foreign investors are gradually and steadily shying away largely because of increasing lack of confidence in the country’s leadership style.

Predictions are considerably founded on a proper monitor of past and current trends. The predicted break-up of Nigeria come 2015 may have been founded on the proper understanding of the behavior of the country’s political leadership and class; the desperation for power for its sake and the huge rents associated with it in Nigeria. Let the interest and good of Nigeria and Nigerians override every other narrow and self serving individual and collective interest.

However, we are consoled by the expressed desire of the President to respond appropriately to the issues raised in Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter. In a democratic setting such exchange and liberty of response is healthy and proper.

God save Nigeria.