Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop making provocative statements that could distract and discourage Nigerians from fixing the economy.
The governor was reacting to a statement credited to Obasanjo in which he said his generation had failed the nation.
Fayose, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said Obasanjo’s sanctimonious self-righteousness was misleading, self-serving and discomfiting, and not what the country needed at this time.
He advised Obasanjo to speak for himself rather than making a generalised statement.
“There is much suffering in the land. The people are hungry. Yet, one of those responsible for this unsavoury state of affairs relishes in adding insult to the people’s injury. He makes statements that are not only reckless but also untrue.
“Obasanjo, truly, has failed this country many times over but not all members of his generation failed this country. There are shinning lights in that generation that have served the nation well.
“How about Emeka Anyaoku, Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi? The list is endless and they are to be found in all the nooks and crannies of this country who belong in the same generation as Obasanjo and who have done this country proud,” he said.
Fayose, however, lamented that Obasanjo wasted all the golden opportunities that he had to make this country great, first as a military Head of State and later as a two-term civilian president.
“It is too late in the day for him to now cry over other countries that have passed Nigeria by. This is mere crocodile tears when we realise that no other Nigerian leader had the opportunities that Obasanjo had to make this country great but he bungled them all.
“He should speak for himself and not rope his entire generation into his misadventure in governance. Here is a man who neither recognised nor encouraged any star except himself. He must shoot them down or disparage them.
“For him, Obafemi Awolowo was not patriotic; MKO Abiola was not the messiah Nigeria needed; Tinubu was a rascal; Jonathan was not good; and President Muhammadu Buhari did not understand economics. Only Obasanjo is good. Only Obasanjo fought and won the civil war. Only Obasanjo understands everything – from economics to military to foreign affairs.
“Yet, this is the same Obasanjo that laid the foundation for corruption in this country with his ill-fated third-term misadventure when billions of Naira was used to bribe National Assembly members. This is the same Obasanjo that turned EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu into his private army to harass political opponents.
“Under this same Obasanjo, eight civilian governors were illegally and unceremoniously removed from office through kangaroo impeachment. Minority members of the Houses of Assembly were empowered to override the majority members. Under Obasanjo, our elections were “wuru-wuru” and “mago-mago” and we were the laughing stock of the international community.
“This same Obasanjo, who came back from prison a pauper, ask him how much he is worth today and how he made the money? The launching of his Presidential Library, which he is preparing to commission soon, attracted donations that ran into billions of Naira while he was in office. Only God knows how many more billions the commissioning will garner this time around.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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"Those the gods will destroy they first make mad." Fayose, you heard that saying before now I believe. That's exactly what is soon to happen to you .
ReplyDeleteEvery where in the world, people cherished the way and manner the Yorubas respect their senior but Fayose seems not have such in his dict.
ReplyDeleteHe should remembered that you can accused and blame your senior without not necessary being assaultive. The governor of Ekiti state should be caution by the Yoruba elders. Young people are watching and listening to all the abusive language being churn out by a supposed leader. Often, fayose plays to the gallery without him knowing that he will be old soon too. He will be paid in his own coin. He is not giving a good example to the up and coming young ones. Is he afraid of tomorrow. Does he knows that he carry on his head corruption charges which he, Obanikoro, Omisore......etc hanging pending when he leaves Ekiti government house. We are kinly watching with interest how it will pan out.
I pity those talking about respect here. Nigeria cab only move forward when people are allowed to express their views and disappointments to anyone irrespective of age, tribe or political inclination. Are you saying Obasanjo didn't fail Nigerians or do you mean since he is a Yoruba we should keep mute and praise him? He indeed founded corruption and political malpractices Nigeria is Facing today and yet the ignorant Want him adored because he is old
DeleteAll we are concerned about in Nigeria is either Religion or tribe, So becos Baba is Yoruba we should keep praising and bowing down forgetting the past of him abi. Abegi 9ja dey suffer pass all that Yoruba culture u dey preach to us. Baba honestly had the opportunity to make this Nation great but the question is what did he do with it? Face reality and forget the tribe or religion u belong to.
DeleteAll we are concerned about in Nigeria is either Religion or tribe, So becos Baba is Yoruba we should keep praising and bowing down forgetting the past of him abi. Abegi 9ja dey suffer pass all that Yoruba culture u dey preach to us. Baba honestly had the opportunity to make this Nation great but the question is what did he do with it? Face reality and forget the tribe or religion u belong to.
DeleteHe can say all he wants but he can never take away the glory God has given the old man. It will take fayose multitude of efforts to surpass him
ReplyDeleteFayose remains the only fearless gov in Nigeria no matter u are his blood brother or not. I respect him for that. All he said about baba were all true,
ReplyDeletebut this same Fayose has forgotten that almost 80-90% of the developmental strides in this country were achieved during the Obasanjo's reigns either as military or civilian ruler. Obasanjo conceived Abuja as FCT; Obasanjo started the 3rd Mainland bridge Project; Obasanjo built ALL our Airports. Obasanjo built major stadias in this country, Obasanjo developed our textile industry even in his second coming; Obasanjo privatized the Telecomms industry; Whereas, Fayose stole Ekiti peoples money in his firsty coming and still continuously steals in this his second coming......we will see what happens after his tenure,.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you praising Fayose for disrespecting elders, are you saying that Fayose is a saint just because he's criticizing your enemy? Will you deny the fact that Fayose is also worthy of criticism as he govern ekiti state. Fayose is dancing towards distruction you are beating drums for him. Shame
ReplyDeleteWe like celebrating devil so far he has a tie with us. Buy sense if you don't have. Fayose has spoken!!!
ReplyDeleteNo body as ever say that fayose is a saint but to the matter of fact all what is has saying about baba is reality, baba should go and rest is too old to be dictating for Nigeria leaders the man should go retire from politics.
ReplyDelete