Senator Writes Open Letter To Obasanjo

Following Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent reaction to the aftermath of series of visits by chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an attempt to resolve the crisis in the South West zonal chapter of the party, a former president of the Senate, Senator Ameh Ebute, has accused the former President of hypocrisy and insincerity.

In an open letter to Obasanjo, the senator said his (Obasanjo) subjects of anger against the ruling Peoples’ Democartic Party, PDP was not justified, Leadership reports.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo had on October 12, 2014, in a statement issued to newsmen in Abeokuta said his being passive in the party was based on “principle, morality, honour, integrity, commitment and character which are paramount.”

He also made reference to the chairman of the PDP Mobilisation Committee in the South West, Buruji Kashamu, as an indicted drug baron wanted in the United States, saying that as such, he could not accept him (Kashamu) as a leader of the party in the zone where he hails from.

Ebute, who is now the pro-chancellor/chairman of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) said: “With due respect baba, this assertion of yours smacks of great hypocrisy and apparent insincerity. Even though you never mentioned the fellow you were referring to by name, it is common knowledge that the alleged drug baron is no other person than Prince Buruji Kashamu, a man with whom you had a very robust personal and political relationship up till 2011.

“I wish to recall sir that when the former Governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel seized the PDP structure from you in 2008/2009, it was this same “drug baron” whom you aligned with to create parallel party structure and institute legal action against the party. It was this same man who secured the court judgment that eventually got your faction of the PDP recognized by the National leadership ahead of the 2011 General elections.

“While agreeing with you that these are indeed problems that ought to be firmly addressed by the leaders of our country, it is rather unfortunate that you had an unusual opportunity of making impacts in these areas for three years as a Military ruler and then eight years as a civilian President but you either forgot that posterity would call you to account as the longest serving leader this country has ever had or you simply neglected to “do the needful” as you now advise others to do.

Buruji Kashamu

“Prior to your emergence as President and considering your antecedents as a farmer, one would have expected that you would use your position to reduce Nigeria’s huge food import bills, boost food production and help reduce poverty in Nigeria. Alas, you government did absolutely nothing in this critical sector!

“Rather, you introduced policies that impoverished farmers and increased poverty, hunger and starvation among the populace.
“Baba, you are one of the African leaders that came up with the idea of the Great Green wall from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. While your friend, President Wade did well in Senegal to drive the project, what did you do in Northern Nigeria to bring this vision to reality? Please go and see what the Jonathan administration is doing on the Great Green Wall project.

“It amazes some of us that a person who had been so favored by God and man should refuse to heed the simple words of the elders that those who have had the fortune of having their palm kernel cracked for them by some benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.
“Sir, with all your failures, self- righteousness, hypocrisy and other shenanigan, Nigeria has left you alone. Please baba, leave Nigeria alone.”

Ebute disclosed that Kashamu had been a frequent visitor to Obasanjo’s Hilltop residence in Abeokuta and his visits had then been greeted with celebrative feasting.
The senator wondered what Obasanjo must have been telling his “foreign friends” about Kashamu then.

Kashamu had earlier blasted Obasanjo, calling him a liar.