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OBJ AND THE REALITIES OF THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

s the vexed and the not -so- well -thought -through issue of third term is now resting in peace (I assume?), Nigerians think OBJ should now be wise-up and redeem whatever image that he has left. Instead, he still goes about things as regards the civilian -to -civilian transition of 2007 as if by fate he is going to somehow inherit the presidency in 2007 and beyond.

A lot of people still argue in different forums that OBJ still harbours this remnant believe that he could still be the indispensable man in 2007. This is further strengthened by the fact that he never sincerely worked, encouraged or wish any who-be-successor to his throne well either through words or deeds.

Gov Peter Odili still gets mentioned as one man OBJ would have preferred to take over from him. But anyone with little political acumen will know that this is farther from the truth. Odili was too embroiled in the issue of 3rd term both materially and physically, in-fact he was nearly fanatical about it that he looked like a clown on CNN begging OBJ to stay on. Even when very close presidential 'egg-heads' knew it would not fly (ask Jerry Gana and Tony Anineh). Odili would have being warned about digging his political grave with impunity.

Apart from this political somersault, OBJ really never wanted him, why? He was not helping or encouraging him to build bridges beyond Rivers state and across the country that is expected of a true presidential material. Even if one would not support the un-diplomatic way Gov.Kure puts his observation on this issue, I submit that there is a whole lot of truth in his statement. Prof Tam David West, a well respected south -south voice reiterated the same observation.

It is only the people that never wished Odili's presidential ambition well that will insist that he has started on the right footing or has the sincere backing of OBJ. In as much that I do not want to foreclose the presidential aspiration of any legitimate candidate (except that of IBB for obvious reasons of demonstrated corruption, bad leadership, greed, timidity, nepotism, cruelty, insensitivity, man -inhumanity to man etc) via this medium because one, I have access to it and two, because I believe all candidates should come out and let Nigerians sort them out using all the variables that are available to arrive at one person through voting eventually, however Gov.Odili should be advised that he could still bring some respect to his ambition by sincerely shedding the toga of Babaism and ask Nigerians for forgiveness and start building the bridges all over. My only doubt is that of time is no longer on his side.

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Brigadier Buba Maruwa had a chance that was deliberately, naively or intentionally wasted. Whatever is the true situation out of the three; he and only he has his-self to blame. A candidate that started off by maliciously trying to discredit an incumbent vice president with a proven record of political sagacity and goodwill, which also happens to be his kin's man for whatever reason, cannot be said to be politically savvy.

He has not shown or demonstrated what he has gained from this ill-mannered approach in his political calculations. He has caused irritation to the VP all right but he has not gone beyond that. If for that matter, the effort has more than reinforced the general believe that he is being used so shamelessly against his kinsman. He has only demonstrated that he is not his own man having declared, renounced and declared openly for presidency several times to the consternation of all. He should be aware that when push will become shove he will be reminded of all he did because of his purported presidential ambition at the prompting of some people.

Also if he thinks OBJ actually meant well with him he should ask the EFCC boss again and again, as he would tell any body that cares to listen that he has evidence against him. Maybe they are waiting for the appropriate time to use them. He was just an unnecessary and perhaps an unsolicited tool against the VP, as OBJ never wanted anybody to succeed him.

One of his in- house jesters and pitiable yes-man, Governor Adamu of nassarawa state was even planning of making his own declaration cum presidential camping in London. This goes to show how bereft of ideas some of his touted successors could be. The only thing he is bringing to the table is bootlicking draped in Babaism often confused as loyalty.

The situation is virtually the same for nearly other aspirants that one time or the other had being soiled by OBJ's sit-tight antics and insincerity that was degenerating into a monumental constitutional and criminal lawlessness before our national assembly with the support of Nigerians of different persuasions put a halt to it. These spineless and shortsighted aspirants have shown that they did not really want this presidency, which means three things: They are neither prepared for it, equipped for it nor too timid to take a decisive actions in favour of the people.

Thus, we are now left with the real options for the presidency that have shown readiness and determination for this exalted office.

General Ibrahim Babangida to most Nigerians is the root cause of most problems that we have in the country now. He was also diligent in exacerbating the ones he met when he came in 1985. Any body that wants us to believe other wise is not only doing harm to the country but him-self as well. Much has being written and will still be, on how IBB plundered, killed and entrench corruption in our system. Recently, in other to diminish the presidential aspiration of Prof.Jerry Gana, Godwin Dabo the eccentric IBB campaigner submitted that Gana was a failure as the boss of DIFFRI, MAMSER and other money wasting ventures amongst numerous white elephant ventures undertaken by the General. He also accused him of ingratitude for coming out of Niger state to contest with IBB.

What Dabo however failed to realise is that all his observations further confirm the locust years of IBB where no body was held accountable for any thing thereby wasting a great opportunity of regenerating the country to the amusement of the confessed evil genius. IBB still amazes most Nigerians for having the effrontery of contemplating another occupation of the seat that he refused to add value to when he was on the saddle for 8years. He must have thought that Nigerians are zombies that could be decreed into his whims and caprice. And lately in the absent of decrees can be hypnotised by his antics. If the dead-brain of an in-law, Sunny Odogwu, the desperate epicurean of Ondo, Alex Akinyele and the erudite but unscrupulous professors of Omo Omoruyi and Jubril Aminu are under his spell, why not all Nigerians? (God forbid, we won't be.)

As if all the wastages were not enough he capped the inglorious outing by annulling the hope that Nigerians worked and voted for, ignoring ethnicity and religion in the process. This barbaric act caused the death of a Nigerian colossus at his prime that happens to be 'a close friend' of IBB while fighting for his legitimate right. How IBB still closes his eyes to sleep at night still baffles me. Maybe it is because of this lack of sleep due to heavily burdened conscience that is making him to be desperately looking for a way to get busy and blackout the turmoil. But he should know that evil men would know no peace. Nigerian would deny him the luxury of getting dubiously busy again.

The other real contenders of vice president, Atiku Abubakar, General Mohamed Buhari Rtd and Gov.Orji Kalu are veritable vehicles of sustaining and strengthening the reforms, this government has initiated. OBJ might not like and encourage the threesome because they refused to be cowed. They have indeed demonstrated more than other candidates that they are forthright, focused, genuiune and prepared for the task ahead. They have consistently shown OBJ that Nigeria is bigger than him and anybody for that matter. They have also shown that others have ideas to move Nigeria forward.

It is therefore left for any of them who play the politics right, build the most bridges in form of the National spread to clinch the crown. It is not even uncommon that there will be an alliance, alignment and collaboration amongst the threesome. If there is none, it should be encouraged in the spirit of true democracy of give and take. They should also have it at the back of their minds that they have a common cynical barrier in OBJ and a common destiny in Aso rock for the up-liftment of Nigerians out of poverty and underdevelopment. We are watching and urging them on. God bless Nigeria.