*As Save Nigeria Movement reopens the ‘Who killed Bola Ige” question
*Says no political assassination under Buhari like under Obasanjo’s administration
By KEMI KASUMU
“Former President Obasanjo is further called upon to help the Yoruba nation heal by providing immediate and satisfactory answers to the gruesome murder of late sage Chief Bola Ige; one of Yoruba’s most admired sons. Perhaps, that is what all Yoruba nation and indeed Nigerians want at this moment.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo must not be treated as one above the law and, so, should be handled by the law, if he does not stop to heat up the polity and raise tensions in the land with intent to dividing the nation against itself.
This summarises the position of Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), which it expressed during an expanded press conference held at Utako, Abuja, on Thursday.
Accusing the former leader of raising tensions in the land, the SNM may have considered those recent comments by him as inimical to the ongoing effort towards restoration of peace and security the country and urged him to stop or the law would take its full course against him.
The group, which said its attention was drawn “to media reports indicating former President Obasanjo’s decision to embark on another round of divisive consultations conversant with his character”, noted that the reports further indicated that Obasanjo was planning to co-opt past heads of state, traditional rulers, religious leaders and some respected elder statesmen among which is a former Federal Commissioner, Pa Edwin Clark, into the massive drive to divide the country.
“All these antics are in a bid to discredit President Buhari administration efforts having surpassed former president Obasanjo’s two epochs in office both as military and civilian head of state,” the group said.
According to the expanded press conference address read by its Convener, Rev. Solomon Semaka, the Save Nigeria Movement said former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s antecedents were scary, if allowed to fester.
“The Save Nigeria Movement is deeply concerned that Obasanjo would choose to inflame passions and raise tensions at this critical point in time when the federal government is consolidating on security.
It urged Obasanjo to reconsider his personal agenda as, according to the group, such agenda can only jeopardise national security, and therefore called on all Nigerians to rise up and speak in one voice against him because, “To this end, the Movement is suspicious of the former president.”
The statement said, “The Save Nigeria Movement is inclined to caution the former president to have a rethink, if his personal intentions will not promote peace and unity in the country.
“This appeal is also a word of caution that should Obasanjo be bent on heating the polity and raising tensions, Nigerans will know who to hold responsible and demand for the law to take its full course” against him, the Save Nigeria Movement expressed dismay at the unfavourable disposition of the former leader
It continued, “As citizens and true patriots, we expect nothing but selfless service to the nation and moral support from people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and not the other way round shamelessly fanning the embers of disunity.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is urged to once again remind himself of the pledges he made at each moment this country gave him the opportunity to serve the nation. We believe good conscience will prevail for the right thing to be done,” it said.
Obasanjo, the group said, has no moral right to be dissatisfied with the modest achievements of President Buhari’s administration especially when he could not do better when Nigerians gave him the opportunity twice as military and civilian head of state.
“Indeed, President Buhari has offended many people in the mold of Obasanjo by not joining the league of those who must own a presidential library, an oil well or a multinational farm while in office.
“Looks like former President Obasanjo truly missed the infamous “third term” where he would have consolidated his full grip on the nation’s resources.This is the point of departure between Former President Obasanjo, his cohorts and incumbent President Buhari.
“Former President Obasanjo is further called upon to help the Yoruba nation heal by providing immediate and satisfactory answers to the gruesome murder of late sage Chief Bola Ige; one of Yoruba’s most admired sons. Perhaps, that is what all Yoruba nation and indeed Nigerians want at this moment.
From Left: Obasanjo and late Bola Ige.
“How about the gruesome political assassination of Harry Marshal and many others? Former President Olusegun Obasanjo should be magnanimous enough to come clear on these unresolved puzzles around political killings and corrupt enrichment while in office as president than resort to self pontification.
“We will not talk about the infamous kidnap of a sitting governor in the south east under the inglorious watch of the seasoned Otta farmer. Nigerians do not want those memories. Obasanjo should seize the moment to re-write history with his words and public conduct.
“At least under president Buhari administration, no such high profile killings are in vogue. No such fanfare over launching of presidential libraries or other bussiness concerns of sort is ongoing unlike under former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.
“Should we begin to review how Obasanjo muzzled Lagos State, the economic nerve center, the heart of Yoruba nation of statutory funds in flagrant disregard for court orders? Which true Yoruba Son worthy of his name would be proud of Obasanjo? Nigerians have had enough of whatever salvage value is left of Mr Obasanjo.
“Nigerians are proud of what president Buhari is doing to rescue the nation from the grip of people like Obasanjo who designated the country as a free zone for corruption for more than a decade.
“Nigerians from all walks of life are proud of the modest achievements recorded under the Buhari administration. From road infrastructure to massive social welfare packages and a historic recapture of territories hitherto held by insurgents and bandits.
“At least president Buhari has not mobilized soldiers to demolish communities and kill scores of innocent Nigerians like Obasanjo did in Odi, Bayelsa and Zakibiam, in Benue states respectively during Obasanjo’s reign as president.
“Nigerians are indeed asking when former president Obasanjo would be called upon to account for his many sins against his Yoruba kinsmen and Nigerians. This may truly be the moment of judgement.
“President Buhari administration in all sincerity has admitted to challenges and taken steps to secure the nation, all the government needs now is wise counsel and moral support as opposed to acts that could jeorpardise existing efforts in peace and security of the country,” Rev. Solomon Semaka said in the address.
The group’s convener concluded the address by speaking to the minds of those he addressed as “Gentlemen of the press, great compatriots,” saying:
“if we love this country we must demonstrate true patriotism with our voices by speaking up at moments that threaten the unity of our great nation.
“Let us rise up and hold our leaders to standards that will ensure the legacies of peace and unity. This is our responsibility.
“It is in fulfilling this obligation that the Save Nigeria Movement is calling on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to respect himself and status and desist from acts capable of reversing the progress so far made in country.
“The whole world is watching and will join us in solidarity to hold anyone who would be responsible for acts that breach national security. Thank you.”
