OBASANJO NEEDS TO ACT LIKE NELSON MANDELA!©
--Attorney Patryk Utulu

In keeping with the generous spirit of Nelson Mandela, I – and I suspect, millions of Nigerians – suffered in silence as we watched Chief Olusegun Obasanjo engage in brazen self-eulogy masquerading as praise for Mandela. Granted, other “leaders” did it too but in more comments than one, Chief Obasanjo was alternately mourner-in-chief, praise-singer extraordinaire but also, self-promoting super braggart. Yes, Chief OBJ all but anointed himself best friend, biological son, soul mate and political heir to Mandela.

But besides his nuisance value in the APC versus PDP power struggle, what is Obasanjo really up to?

It is an objective, historically accurate, non-partisan fact that Chief Obasanjo was:
President of Nigeria from 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007….and before that:
Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria from Feb 1976 to Sept 1979….and before that:
Vice President of Nigeria from July 1975 to February 1976….but has become:
At 75 years, a septuagenarian who disdains etiquette and often publicly trades insults with journalists!

Which begs the question:
(1): As a 75-year old man who had been Vice President, Military Head of State empowered with absolute decrees and a two-term 8-year President of Nigeria, WHAT DOES OBASANJO THINK HE CAN DO FOR NIGERIA NOW that HE COULDN’T HAVE DONE during his multi years of political power?
(2): Put differently, can anyone imagine President Nixon being efficient in today’s Google-age America?

Far be it from me to ever free sorry for a man who owns an airplane. But for the sake of our Fatherland I’m forced to be sorry that Chief OBJ is not “enigmatic” as much as he is a bored, educated olden who is bankrupt in common sense and ideas on productive use of that vast wealth he accumulated in office.

If civilization is about knowing how to invite yourself to a party, then sophistication is about knowing how to leave while the applause is still on. OBJ’s friends ought to tell him that he isn’t Mandela or Socrates as much as he’s become a comedian who laughs at his own jokes.

But Chief OBJ can still be relevant. Examples abound of ex-presidents in continuing global relevancy:
(1): President Clinton has Clinton Global Initiatives which “supports the development of commitments by facilitating dialogue and, economic opportunities, etc. Since leaving office Bill Clinton has used CGI to engineer global cross-sectoral partnerships, obtaining 2,500 global commitments, which are already improving the lives of more than 430 million people in over 180 countries estimated at $87.9 billion.
(2): President Jimmy Carter has been involved in a variety of international public policy, human rights, charitable causes, eradicating guinea worms/river blindness, monitoring elections, building Habit for Humanity Homes for the poor, and as global goodwill ambassador, resolving conflicts!

So, dear Chief Obasanjo: whether or not your daughter, Iyabo, wrote that letter the premise holds true: Nigeria is NOT your family heirloom…and Aso Villa is not the seat of your family estate. Stop distracting from the big problems we have in Nigeria. Please follow the example of your self-declared mentor, Mandela, who put in his time, gave up power, went home and maintained unto death a policy of contributing constructively from the sidelines without interfering with his successors. The greatest title in life is Private Citizen. Millions of Nigeria’s Youth need your help. Please spend your time, money and wisdom helping them. You can create a Charitable Foundation and DECLARE yourself PRESIDENT OF YOUTHS OF NIGERIA. Even President Jonathan will be thrilled to come to your inauguration.

Without distractions, Nigerians need APC and PDP to tell Nigerians what they’ll do if given a mandate
If you love Mandela as much as you claim then do what Mandela did: forget Aso Villa and Go Home!

Patryk A. Utulu is a U.S.-based attorney and Strategic Communications Consultant
Executive Director, The Center for Community Empowerment and Lifeskills, Inc. (USA)
[All Rights Reserved. All materials subject to Copyright Privileges and Immunities]

You cannot give what you do not have.

OBJ even in his dreams cannot act as Mandela.........it is just not in him, he can't even fake it.

We need to stop the comparison of our politicians with Mandela.