The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, said on Wednesday that despite former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s “supposed achievement” in office, his administration was characterised by the raising of the bar of corruption in the country.
Bakare spoke in Lagos as the guest lecturer at the 10th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium organised by the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The event, with the theme, ‘Nigeria at centenary: A nation still in bondage?’, was chaired by former President of the Court of Appeal, retired Justice Ayo Salami, who called for the separation of the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria from that of the Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
The event, which started in 2004, is organised anually to celebrate the virtues of the late Fawehinmi, who died on September 5, 2009 at 71.
In his lecture, Bakare said Obasanjo raised the bar of corruption to an unimaginable level.
He added that the former President’s administration was known for censorship of the media, targeting outspoken critics and subjecting judicial decisions to executive interpretations.
He said, “Media was censored, outspoken critics were targeted and judicial decisions were subjected to executive interpretations. Meanwhile, Obasanjo himself raised the moutain of corruption to an unimaginable level.
“As apathy set in among the electorate, General Obasanjo, indignant that he could not foist third term agenda on Nigeria, imposed a sick President on the nation through a fraudulent election, I beg your pardon, selection, overseen by Prof. Maurice Iwu.”
He said Obasanjo’s supposed achievements in office had no significant impact on the people’s lives.
Bakare, who expressed support for “a people-driven” national conference, said the atmosphere of abundance prevailling when Obasanjo assumed office in 1999, provided a breeding ground for personal aggrandisement accross all government levels.
He said, “The atmosphere of abundance provided the breeding ground for personal aggrandisement as politicians, from the Presidency to the state and local governments, helped themselves to the nation’s resources became the targets of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“Then, complacency set in as General Obasanjo, satisfied with his supposed achievements, which however did not reflect significantly in the living condition of the average Nigerian, sought to perpetuate himself in power and so unleashed the machinery of state against percieved enemies among the political class.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I don't really agree with you on this assertion. 1 Obj didn't support Yaradua becos he was sick but supported him because amongst the contenders he had the cleanest records. 2. The quest for 3rd term though ill-conceived ,with its attendants anticts did not dwarf recorded achievements.As much I do respect your opinions .I do disagree with you on this.
ReplyDeleteVery Accurate, OBJ set the precedence for corruption. With the inception of democracy in 1999, Nigerians had the opportunity to start on a clean slate but yet OBJ introduced the following:
ReplyDelete1. Mass rigging with Impunity.
2. Uttermost disregard for the rule of law
3. Political witch-hunting
4. Selection of leaders rather than election
5. Political Assassination
6. And a whole lot others.
It is this trend that still persist and that's why he faulted GEJ for in his open letter for being Anti PDP cos GEJ allowed the peoples choice in selecting the Governors of Ondo, Anambra, Edo and a whole lot. (check the development in those places compared to past leaders)
If this was OBJ's regime, how dare a court remove a PDP Gov and according to OBJ he believes the fair play of the rule of law allowrd by GEJ to admit Osho, Mimiko and allowing the peoples mandate to bring ACN governors in the south west to win election without using federal might to rig was considered anti PDP and this oversight by GEJ to play fair is the course and origin of APC and thats why Baba is not happy nothing else believing we built a house and had control and u come here and say u wanna play fair now its your Job at stake "GEJ" not mine.
But like God's plan, Nigeria needs to move foward and this is beyond human comprehension.
God's Plan shall be actualize in this country Isha Allah and i say GEJ deserves a second chance.
Obasanjo is as dirty politically as his ugly face
ReplyDeleteUmpire God bless u!!!!
ReplyDelete