The clearest sign that things have fallen apart between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan emerged yesterday when the former accused the latter of running a “chop chop” regime ,implying that corruption is being sanctioned by Jonathan.
Speaking during the 50th birthday anniversary for Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Obasanjo said :“This morning, I was travelling from Abeokuta. I was listening to radio. I heard that they said that they are going to set up an agency for pipeline protection. Now, what are the police there for.? What are all the security agencies that we have doing? This is another chop chop.”
OBJ also pilloried the attempt to create a special desk or agency for national integration.According to the ex president, “The entire constitution of Nigeria is for integration; what else do you need? You have a constitution that is intended to integrate the country. You have things (agencies) like the Federal Character Commission; what is that one meant to do? It is for integration. The entire constitution is all about integrating this country. If at all we failed to use it, it can even be said we have breached the constitution. You don’t need a commission for integration.”
Obasanjo also urged Jonathan to leave his aides alone. He said the regime should probe him ,not his former aides.Addressing Ezekwesil who has come under pressure for raising issues bordering transparency recently ,Obasanjo said ““Actually, those who wanted to probe you, you should have asked them to, because if they are honest probers, they would find out that the government of Nigeria should give you money for what you have done for this country without stealing money.
“I have always said this, whatever you want to blame in my government, blame me, don’t blame any of those people who assisted me. If there is any credit to dispense we share it. But for anything you want to say is wrong, I was the one in charge and I was in charge.”
Speaking directly to some of his ex aides , the former president said : “When I look at you, I thank God for making you available to serve my administration, to serve Nigeria and serve God at the time you did.”
“I just hope that we will get it right. We have no choice; we have to get it right. Let us decide individually that I would do what I have to do to bring about change in Nigeria. If you do that, let me assure you, you will be called names. You will be abused; some people are hired to do that. But like Oby, say what you believe is right and stand by it”,he added.
Obasanjo’s comments further confirm that all the attempts at reconciling him with President Jonathan have indeed failed.Newsdiaryonline had reported a few months ago that Jonathan had been making efforts to reconcile with an unwilling Obasanjo.Jonathan’s spokesmen however said there was actually no rift then,they said the relationship between duo was cordial.
How the presidency will respond to OBJ’s latest remarks remains to be seen.
