On my way to my primary assignment location during my National Youth Service Corp year at the Federal Science and Technical College, Lassa, Borno State, more than a decade ago, I heard a news report over the radio. The broadcaster announced that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as their presidential candidate. Before then, there has been a power tussle between President Olusegun Obasanjo and his vice president, Atiku Abubakar. But Obasanjo, knowing fully well the relationship between the Yar’Aduas and the Atikus, and the fact both are Fulanis and cannot fight themselves, chose Umaru as successor. From then onwards Atiku Abubakar was left helpless because the Fulani Kingmakers preferred to support Umaru than Atiku who they often see as less Fulani.

Obasanjo pulled a similar masterstroke when he knelt before the new monarch of the Itsekiris who is young enough to be his grandchild. His endorsement by kneeling gives the credibility that would prevent future legal battles and give the new monarch, Yoruba and national acceptance. Before his coronation, controversy had trailed the nomination of Prince Tsola Emiko as Olu designate. Prince Tsola Emiko is one of the preferred choices for the throne despite his disqualification in 2015 following the customary laws regulating succession to the throne according to a 1979 Edict. The new Olu was disqualified from succeeding his father because his mother is Yoruba. The edict confirmed the position of the Olu’s advisory council, that a candidate to be enthroned must have his mother as an Itsekiri or from Edo State. Traditionally, succession passes to a son of a demised Olu, otherwise it goes to a suitable member of the Olotus. Brothers are preferred to Uncles. Uncles are preferred to grandsons. And grandsons are preferred to other relatives. Females are excluded.

Obasanjo’s act continues to receive commendation from far and near. Politicians from the highly regarded and respected like former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the disrespected like the bribe-taking governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje have come to pay homage to the new monarch. Thinking about Obasanjo, I have always wondered what Nigeria would have become if Olusegun Obasanjo is as selfless as his recent act portrays. Nigeria’s present problems can be attributed to Obasanjo’s failure as a leader. With his military, ethnic and international credentials and experience, Obasanjo could have made Nigeria a first-world nation. But he succeeded in creating a broken nation where he used the electoral commission (INEC), to rig elections. He excelled in using the anti-corruption agency he set up (EFFC) to hunt political opponents. He also perfected bribing of legislators with cash stacked Ghana must Go bags. And helped to enthrone Nigeria’s worst president – Muhammadu Buhari. Today, Buhari has gone to another level in implementing Obasanjo’s legacy.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com