Obasanjo is Nigeria’s Moral Icon And Leadership Benchmark

Obasanjo is Nigeria’s Moral Icon and Leadership Benchmark

By Umar Ardo, Ph.D

This is a rejoinder to Bayo Onanuga’s and Sunday Dare’s separate press statements criticizing President Olusegun Obasanjo, in response to his speech at the Achebe Lecture in Yale University, USA. Their criticisms in defense of the Tinubu regime are emotive and rhetorically charged. Lacking in historical and factual grounding, they offer nothing but a one-dimensional critique.

2. If they had been rational in their criticisms, Onanuga and Dare would have seen that few leaders embody the complexities, triumphs and challenges of a nation’s history as profoundly as President Olusegun Obasanjo does for Nigeria. His journey, from a military commander to a civilian president, is a testament to resilience, sacrifice and an enduring commitment to the nation’s unity, wellbeing and progress. Obasanjo’s multifaceted legacy, when thoroughly scrutinized, positions him as a moral icon and a benchmark for leadership in Nigeria.

3. Obasanjo’s life is coterminous with enduring service to Nigeria. His contributions to Nigeria’s journey to nationhood are unparalleled. As a civil war commander, he played a pivotal role in preserving Nigeria’s territorial integrity during one of the darkest periods in its history. Accepting the instrument of surrender from Biafra, he demonstrated magnanimity and commitment to national reconciliation, setting the stage for healing after a divisive war.

4. His role as a military Head of State was equally transformative. The Murtala/Obasanjo regime of 1975 – 1979 is incontestably the idyllic regime in the annals of Nigeria’s political history. In 1979, Obasanjo became among the first African military leaders to voluntarily transfer power to a civilian government, inspiring a culture of democratic governance across the continent. This singular act marked him as a leader who prioritized national interests over personal ambition – a rare quality in the annals of African leadership.

5. For his patriotic stance on good governance and honesty in leadership, he was charged on a phantom coup and condemned to death by a venal military junta that saw his criticisms as a threat to its existence. But as a man of destiny, the Good Lord had better plans ahead.

6. Returning to power as a civilian president in 1999, Obasanjo took the reins of a nation emerging from years of military dictatorship. Under his stewardship, Nigeria witnessed a stabilization of democratic institutions, the fostering of press freedom and the initiation of electoral reforms. These strides have ensured over two decades of uninterrupted democracy, an achievement often taken for granted but monumental in its historical context.

7. In order to build Nigeria’s economy entrench it in the world economic system, Obasanjo’s administration undertook significant reforms, laying the foundation for Nigeria’s future growth. He spearheaded the negotiation of $18 billion in debt forgiveness from the Paris Club, freeing critical resources for development. His liberalization of key sectors, particularly telecommunications, revolutionized the economy, creating millions of jobs and positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovation.

8. Critics often highlight the shortcomings of his administration, including infrastructure gaps. However, projects like the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) and major road rehabilitations demonstrate a vision for sustainable development. That subsequent administrations failed to fully realize these projects does not diminish Obasanjo’s foresight and intent.

9. So as to enhance our national security, Obasanjo’s leadership extended beyond Nigeria’s borders. He professionalized the military, depoliticized the armed forces and reinforced their allegiance to democratic governance. Regionally, Nigeria became a stabilizing force, leading peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone. These efforts cemented Nigeria’s role as a leader in African diplomacy.

10. Domestically, while the roots of insurgencies like Boko Haram predate his administration, under Obasanjo’s tenure BH never manifested given his understanding of its politics and his addressing the systemic socio-economic disparities responsible for insurgencies. His proactive approach to security, coupled with investments in institutional reforms, underscores his commitment to Nigeria’s stability.

11. President Obasanjo’s critics, such as Bayo Onanuga, often cite controversies to undermine his moral authority. However, such selective critiques fail to account for his broader legacy of integrity and vision. His establishment of anti-corruption bodies like the EFCC and ICPC was groundbreaking, introducing accountability mechanisms that endure to this day.

12. Furthermore, his personal initiatives, including the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Bells University, reflect a commitment to preserving Nigeria’s history and addressing educational gaps. These projects, far from being self-serving, are national assets that enrich public discourse and development.

13. In assessing Obasanjo’s place in Nigeria’s history, it is crucial to move beyond polarizing rhetoric and recognize his indispensable contributions. As a unifier, democratic trailblazer and global statesman, Obasanjo embodies the ideals of service, sacrifice and vision. His legacy, like any other’s though not perfect, provides a benchmark against which contemporary and future leaders should be measured.

14. In a nation searching for moral icons and leadership exemplars, President Obasanjo stands tall. He deserves to be celebrated, not merely for his achievements, but for the principles and values he represents. Nigeria’s journey to nationhood cannot start without acknowledging the pivotal role Obasanjo has played – and continues to play – in shaping its destiny.

15. In conclusion, let me quickly address both Onanuga and Dare dismissing President Obasanjo as lacking the moral authority to critique governance. The fact though is that history is not kind to their criticisms having positioned Obasanjo as the leader who consistently placed Nigeria’s collective interests and unity above personal gains. That is of elementary knowledge and needs not be buttressed.

16. On the alleged Chinua Achebe’s Rejection of National Award, isn’t it then curious that the Achebe Family, the organizers of the Achebe Memorial Event in far away United States, saw Obasanjo fit as the Keynote Speaker? This therefore means Onanuga should fish out the reasons for Achebe’s rejection of the award in other domains away from Obasanjo in person or his policy on the subject matter. In any case,

Achebe’s critique of Obasanjo, while significant, represents a single perspective. It does not negate the broader national and international recognition of Obasanjo’s leadership.

17. Also, the impeachments referenced occurred in a politically charged era of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. They reflect the teething challenges of a nascent democracy grappling with constitutional ambiguities. But given the dire situations resulting to the referred impeachments, which included genocide, economic sabotage and bad reputation for the nation, allowing them to endure on account of constitutional technicalities was a more grievous threat to our democracy than the constitutional imperfections employed in resolving the situations. After all, the constitution was made for Nigerians and not Nigerians made for the constitution.

18. While no leader is beyond reproach, dismissing President Obasanjo’s contributions based on selective criticisms does a great disservice to Nigeria’s history. His legacy may not be perfect, but it remains integral to the nation’s journey toward unity, stability, democracy and growth. Defendants of governments, like Onanuga and Dare, should aim to build on this foundation and not to diminish it.