Why Jonathan may be the last President, by Ajayi

•Afenifere chief presents two books in Lagos

Frontline politician and Afenifere chieftain Sir Olaniwun Ajayi yesterday weighed the Jonathan administration, saying that the President is a weak leader who lacks the  traits to confront Nigeria’s challenges.

He warned that President Goodluck Jonathan may be the  last President, unless conscious efforts are made to prevent Nigeria’s  disintegration through the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNG) and bold return to true fiscal federalism based on the non-compromising principles of equity, fairness, justice and love.

Ajayi said: “My considered view is that President Goodluck Jonathan portrays the image of a weak leader and so, his fitness and suitability for the office of President come to question. However, the daily happenings in this country and other parts of the world have come with a lesson that the myth that some people are born to rule has come to an end.

“Any pursuit of such myth is bound, inexorably, to end in inevitable catastrophe. And in any event, with the instructive and salutary lessons which the last 51 years bring to us and in the light of the goings on in our country today, the prospect before us as a nation is not only blighted; it is disastrous. Consequently, if the scenarios continue, as indeed they may, President Jonathan may be the last President for this country”.

The 86-year old frontline lawyer spoke at the presentation of two books written by him: Lest We Forget, and  Isara: Afotamodi: My Jerusalem, in Lagos. The ceremony, which was part of activities marking the 49th anniversary of his chambers, “Ajayi and Associates”, was chaired by his compatriot, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. The two books, which were reviewed by Mr. Leke Alder and former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, were presented by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Highlight of the events also included a discussion session with the theme: “Ethics in a permissive society”, anchored by the Chairman of Leaders and Company, publishers of ThisDay titles, Prince Nduka Obaigbena. Discussants were former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom Dr Christopher Kolade, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, former Information Minister Frank Nweke Jnr and former Presidential Adviser Bishop Sunday Onuoha.

Prelate of the Methodist Church, Rev Sunday Makinde, who dissected the polity, frowned at the proposed fuel subsidy removal, warning the Federal Government against incurring the wrath of Nigerians.

He said: “The President cannot afford to fight many battles with hungry civilians. If they cannot alleviate our condition, they should leave us as we are. People should not mislead the President that all is right. He will compound the problems of the masses and increase poverty in the land.

“You give N18,000 minimum wage with one hand and collect it back with another. Look at the revelations coming out from the investigation conducted by the National Assembly. Why are they not sensitive to what is happening in the Arab world? Why don’t we have functioning refineries? Why can’t they expose those benefiting from the subsidy? Revolution is looming. There is saturated unemployment rate. There is no electricity. People are angry. A hungry man is an angry man. People are hungry. They should not make them angry. Those of us who are religious leaders know that there is poverty in the society. Tithes and offerings are dropping in the church.”

el-Rufai said: “This is an incompetent government. They are spending over 70 per cent on recurrent expenditure. That is why I am against the removal of the subsidy”.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, a leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Prelate of Methodist Church Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, former Lagos State Finance Commissioner  Wale Edun, Erelu of Lagos, Princess Abiola Dosunmu, Bashorun J.K. Randle, Aare Kola Oyefeso, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Chief Pekun Awobona, Hon. Korede Duyile, Otunba Subomi Balogun,  Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN), Hon. Adeola Mabinuori, and Babatunde Runsewe.

Other dignitaries included Bishop M. Stephen of Ibadan Methodist Diocese, Chief Kessington Adebutu, Chief Supo Shonibare, Prince Jide Akinbiyi, Princess Olayinka Sijuwade, Bishop Kehinde Adeyemi, Otunba Nicholas Tokowabo, Mr Dare Babarinsa, Bishop Ranti Odubogun of Ile-Ife Anglican Diocese, Justice E.S.O. Sanyaolu, Prof Tunde Onadeko, Prof. Afolabi, former Head of Federal Civil Service,  Dr Kanyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Aruma Oteh.

A minute  silence was observed in memory of the deceased wife of the author,  Adunola, who passed on a few years ago.

Adebanjo, who praised Ajayi for putting down his memoirs, said the books were not written for self-aggrandisement, noting that the author had risen from a humble background to become a giant in law and politics.

He condemned the penchant for defections by contemporary politicians, advising them to emulate Ajayi, who had been politically consistent for six decades.

Akinkugbe praised Ajayi and Adebanjo for their devotion to political principle.

Fayemi, who also represented his colleagues from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun, who presented the books with N500,000 each, lamented the trajectory of leadership in the country. He praised Ajayi for finding time to write worthwhile books in his old age.

Kolade, who opened the discussion on ethics, observed that society would be enveloped in moral crises when the boundary between positive and negative values dissolve. He said it is important to investigate how the Nigerian society lost track and became a free for all society.

The former ambassador added: “There should be people who maintain the integrity of the society. Values do not start from society. They start from home. We lost track because the custodian of values in the family failed in their roles”.

They are just looking for crumbs from GEJ which they ain't getting, hence the bad bele.
Useless old men.

Beaf:

They are just looking for crumbs from GEJ which they ain't getting, hence the bad bele.
Useless old men.

Hahahaha! Truth pains alot@@Beaf. Beaf=

@Beaf
Children like you who pass comments like this against the elders are not likely to attain the age of elders because the grey hairs on the heads of the elders shall always curse them. This is Yorubaland where we have respect for old age, learn to be civil in what you write on public forums. These days your postulations on issues is becoming something out of the ordinary. Watch your head so that you shall not be cursed. Ora agba