Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that the policies ‘Baba-Go-Slow (nickname used for of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ‘Emilokan’, nickname used for incumbent President Bola Tinubu have turned the country to failed state, emphasizing that the duo led Nigeria into a state of chaos, insecurity, and underdevelopment.
Penpushing reports that Obasanjo made this known at a paper presentation at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, an annual lecture in honour of the late Nigerian author held in United States of America (USA).
The former president delivered his keynote address, titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria”, in a pre-recorded speech played at the event, did not name the two leaders directly, but mentioned nicknames used for them by their opponents, “Baba-go-slow” for Mr Buhari and “Emilokan” for the incumbent.
“As we can see and understand, Nigeria’s situation is bad. The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment’, he said.
‘That’s the situation mostly in Nigeria in the reign of Baba-go-slow and Emilokan. The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated and manifested for every honest person to see through the consequences of the level of our pervasive corruption, mediocrity, immorality, misconduct, mismanagement, perversion, injustice, incompetence, and all other forms of iniquity’, Obasanjo added.
Penpushing further reports that in similar vein, pointed out that the Nigerian judiciary has been compromised by politicians, forming part of what he described as a grand state capture, just as he criticised the common retort “go to court” to election disputes.
The former President emphasized that it reflects the judiciary’s compromised state adding that the judiciary in Nigeria is a very pale version of its once internationally esteemed self
‘The judiciary in Nigeria is a very pale version of its once internationally esteemed self. “Politicians, after rigging elections, openly ask their rivals to “go to court” in Nigeria because they are aware that they have completely compromised the Judiciary system’.
“A number of Judges are in the pockets of wealthy politicians and individuals and make judgements – not based on the law of the land but to the highest bidder. This, my learned audience, is one of the most effective strategies of State Capture – discussed next – that must be excised from Nigeria like a surgeon cutting out a malignant cancer’ Obasanjo said.
Penpushing reports that the renowned world known leader highlighted the ongoing sabotage of the economy by political elites for personal gain, including the acquisition of national assets at bargain prices.
‘The purchase of national assets by political elites and their family members at giveaway prices, and the allocation of national resources—minerals, land, and human resources—to local, regional, and international actors must be prohibited through robust local and international laws,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Obasanjo while not mentioning names, pointed out that a former governor continues to control his state 25 years after leaving office, adding that the said former governor held the state captive in his pocket.
The former President criticised Nigerian politicians for exploiting the poverty and hunger in the country by using stomach infrastructure to gain votes rather than addressing systemic issues, stating that the food items are usually packaged strategically with the image of political candidates and the parties they represent. .
“The political calculation here is that destitute people are more likely to vote for a politician who brings along gifts – ironically, bought by looted treasury funds belonging to the very same people that are condescended upon – than one who only provides concrete solutions to their everyday problems that might take time,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that Obasanjo lamented the high rate of out-of-school children, insecurity, and pervasive corruption, urging the adoption of virtues that have helped South-East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore achieve progress.
Meanwhile, other notable participants at the event include Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and former Minister Obi Ezekwesili, while Obi on his part participated in two different panel sessions: a discussion on “Leadership and Democracy in Africa” and “Intergenerational Panel: Young People and the Future of Leadership in Africa.”
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