Obasanjo's scathing letter to the President is sweet music to his political opponents.
When in 2015, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo tore his PDP membership card in full view of the media and party officials at his ward in Otta, Ogun State, many saw it as a subtle sign that the scales had tipped away from then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
In the weeks that followed, Muhammadu Buhari became the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria’s fragmented history.
Fast forward by three years and Obasanjo has donned the umpire’s outfit, pulled out the whistle and sounded the beginning of another election cycle.
Just this week, the ex-military ruler and civilian president wrote an incisive, critical open letter to President Buhari. In the letter, he pointed out the incompetence and lack of political savvy that has plagued the government and Nigerians over the last three years.
The highlight of the letter was that he asked the President to step down and not consider re-election in 2019.
In doing so, the Abeokuta-born veteran basically pulled his support and backing from the president.
Like he did in 2015, Obasanjo’s letter could signal that the President is far weaker than previously thought.
Without the support of big-wigs and major stakeholders who were instrumental in the 2015 elections, it could imply that the throne is there for the taking for any candidate who believes they fit the bill.
You may not have seen posters yet, at least not anything or anyone remotely serious, but Obasanjo’s letter shows the time is here.
Election Season!
Good morning Nigeria, the 2019 elections are upon us.
We should have seen this coming.
For a government that was ushered in with heavy expectations and so much promise, the Buhari administration has failed to convince most Nigerians of its capability or intentions.
It is why as early as 2017, vultures had begun to circle what was left of the President’s goodwill.
In the leadup to the final months of his presidency, a number of Buhari’s closest allies have jumped ship or at least taken shots at him, whether for altruistic purposes or in an attempt to score valuable points for themselves.
The most notable of these is the president’s first lady, Aisha Buhari.
After her comments on BBC Hausa regarding her husband’s government and the presence of a cabal were dismissed by the President, Aisha threw shade at the president’s government from the "oza room" with a series of tweets containing videos of lawmakers being critical of the president’s methods and performance.
Such invalidation would be sweet music to the president’s political opponents who will be looking for the right time to emerge.
Well, that time is now.
In the letter, Obasanjo suggested that Nigerians form a coalition to change the faces of those in power, adding that if the coalition could morph into a party, so be it.
Is OBJ pitching a new paty?
From this vantage point, it almost appears he is teasing a political party to the general public while maintaining a hard-fought quasi-non-participant stance.
Regardless, his letter will draw responses in the coming days. Do not be surprised if a fair number of these individuals end up running for the highest office in the land.
Grassroots politics will begin to rear its head.
With Aisha and Obasanjo calling them out, the President is at his most exposed and vulnerable.
ALSO READ: Obasanjo commends Buhari over fight against corruption
In the coming weeks, you can expect more candidates to creep out of the crannies and make their intentions known. Grassroots politics will begin to show all that it is known for.
Potential candidates with a love of the camera will begin to speak of their calling and make the same promises as the same old batch.
On social media, voltrons hired by politicians and parties will turn on each other and begin, subtly at first, to speak for their candidates
Obasanjo’s letter was a direct shot from a person who has already held the same role as President Buhari.
Beyond validating his position, it gives the impression that Buhari’s most loyal allies have thrown in the towel and Nigerians would also be wise to consider their options when the time to make decisions is here.
We may still be at the beginning of 2018 but the 2019 elections have already begun, you just don’t know it yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment