Three time Nigerian ruler, Olusegun
Obasanjo drew attention and patronage
from far and wide during his
stewardship of the country. The scant
attendance at the launch of a book on
him last Tuesday, however, showed that
things are not the same for the man
once hailed as the father of modern
Nigeria.
POLITICIANS are known to be fair
weather people with no permanent
friends, but permanent interest. The
reality of this axiom seems to be playing
out in the political camp of former
President Olusegun Obasanjo following
recent occurrences.
Gone are the years when Obasanjo
would cause a serious stir in the entire
country because he wanted to hold a
function. Those were the years he held
sway as President and Commander-in-
Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
In those days, dignitaries across the
country and beyond scrambled for
Obasanjo’s invitations and even those,
who were not invited to
those functions sometimes gate-
crashed, all in the name of currying the
political favour of the Ebora of Africa
(African deity).
Some of the events which were must-
attend include the celebration of his
village tagged; Ibogun-Olaogun Day,
Owu Day, his birthday and launch of his
Presidential Library. At these occasions,
billions of naira were realised by
Obasanjo with ease.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Presidential library
And what happened during the
launch of Olusegun Obasanjo
Presidential Library where over N2 billion
was realised at a stretch speaks volume
on the influence Obasanjo wielded when
he was the cynosure of all eyes.
As a three-time head of state and
chairman, Board of Trustee, BOT of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, whenever
Obasanjo sneezed, governors and other
who is who in all the sectors including
the economy caught cold. Now, things
appear to be changing as recent
development seems to be indicating.
Then, governors, ex-governors,
incumbent presidents across African
countries, diplomats, technocrats,
politicians and royal fathers across the
country were at his beck and call but
today, they hardly attend OBJ’s functions.
His acclaimed political sons and
daughters across the country seem to
have abandoned their erstwhile political
godfather.
They were loudly absent at the recent
book launch by their political godfather
held in Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential
Library hall in Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.
Arguably, Obasanjo is the most
celebrated Nigerian leader, who at the
same time paraded an array of
benevolent politicians during and shortly
after he exited the most plum job in the
country in 2007.
Penultimate Tuesday, it became obvious
that Obasanjo, who was honoured for
his meritorious service as head of state
and President of Nigeria might have
been abandoned.
It was a day that a book titled:
“Olusegun Obasanjo: Passing the
Torch” written on his personality and
achievements by a prominent
personality, Ambassador Albert Omotayo,
was launched. His usual ‘ Chief
launchers’ were no where to be found
and the few ones who showed interest
sent representatives.
Attendance: The First Lady, Dame
Patience Jonathan, who was invited by
Obasanjo, could not come in person. She
sent a representative in the person of
the Minister for Water Resources; Sarah
Ochekpe.
Governors of Kebbi, Kaduna and Katsina
states also sent representatives. The
Kebbi governor sent his deputy, Aliyu
Khalil, his Kaduna counterpart sent the
state Chairman of the PDP, Nuhu Audu
while their counterpart from Katsina
sent his Attorney-General.
Attorney general
Even the host governor, Senator Ibikunle
Amosun of Ogun State was also
represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff,
Shuaib Salisu. Surprisingly, ex-governor
of Cross River State, Donald Duke drove
himself to the venue early and waited till
the end of the programme.
Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies,
Alhaji Aliko Dangote; foremost
businessman, Oba Otudeko; Alake of
Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu
Gbadebo; Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade
Sijuade; National Secretary of the PDP,
Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former
Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga
Daniel all sent representatives.
The ultra-modern 700-capacity hall was
scanty with journalists, ushers and
security operatives constituting a
sizeable number of the population.
Those who personally attended
Obasanjo’s latest show were former
Head of the Interim National
Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and
Proprietor of Afe Babalola University,
Ado-Ekiti and legal luminary, Chief Afe
Babalola, who chaired the occasion.
Also in attendance were PDP chieftain,
Chief Ebenezer Babatope and former
Minister of Defence, Mr. Adetokunbo
Kayode.
Reactions to the low turn-out of
dignitaries
Chief Afe Babalola, who chaired the
occasion, fired the first salvo when he
expressed his disappointment over the
scanty audience, adding that, he had
expected the hall would be packed in
honour of the great Nigerian leader.
According to him, what happened today
might mean one of these; may be Baba
decided to celebrate it in low-key or
people did not get the information about
this.
“As a matter of fact, the decision to
accept to be chairman of this occasion
was not one that came easy for me. I
have been turning down all invitations.
However, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCON
is a man for whom I have tremendous
respect and admiration and from whom
I enjoy a measure of goodwill,” he said.
Corroborating Babalola on the perceived
boycott of the event by
Obasanjo’s political associates, former
head of Interim National Government,
Chief Ernest Shonekan said, “ Chief
Obasanjo can be likened to biblical
prophet who is never honoured in his
own country and among his own people
(Mathew Chapter 13 verse 57 and mark
Chapter 6 verse 4)
“Chief Obasanjo is acknowledged and
respected worldwide for his
achievements and leadership qualities.
“But, it has not been the case at home.
What I am saying therefore is that we
must learn to celebrate our heroes
rather than pull them down. Other
countries that we think are better than
our country also have their bad sides
which they cover. It is only when we
celebrate our heroes that emerging
leaders can see them more as guiding
lights and the heroes can work harder to
achieve more for the country.”
Obasanjo, however, felt indifferent to the
complaint as he maintained sealed lips
throughout the five-hour programme.
Tributes to Obasanjo
Dame Patience Jonathan, who was
represented by Ochekpe, described
Obasanjo as an enigma and urged
researchers to work on other notable
personalities.
According to her, “Obasanjo has devoted
his life to the service of the nation and
humanity. He is a patriot who is still
actively engaged in peace mediation
efforts and advisory initiatives. It is
important for all Nigerians especially the
youth, who we will hand over to
eventually, to have a good
understanding of their socio-political
antecedents.”

No permanent friend, no permanent enemy but permanent interest. Even obasanjo himself knows that and used it.