OBJ In History (3)

From My Mailbox

I have received numerous text messages and e-mails since the present series began. It is only fair to the correspondents who have taken the trouble to volunteer their opinions that I should publish their comments on this page. I do not consider it proper to include the names and telephone numbers of those who expressed their views on the series. This is because the aim of publishing the comments is not to generate any controversy or subject anyone to ridicule or even adulation.

One of the fundamental elements of liberal democracy, with all its imperfections, is free speech. Everyone should be able to express his or her views on any issue without let. No nation can develop if the citizens are not allowed to say their minds the way they feel. In a plural society such as ours ,it would be tragic if we discourage dissent views. It is in that spirit that I reproduce unedited the views of those who are critical of my comments.

I have taken the liberty to exclude the views of those who agree with me, not because they have not raised serious issues and made useful contributions but rather to encourage public debate and to let all those who disagree with me know that I have nothing against them. It is all part of building democracy. How I wish our leaders understand this basic truth. This column is not about self-promotion. It belongs in a number of senses to the people as I explained at its commencement.

I am not angry about anyone’s comment, even those who use very strong words against me. One cannot always be right. Those who think that they are always right exhibit a fundamental ignorance about society and social relations in any given polity. We would continue our analysis of the last administration and its ego. But meanwhile, enjoy the text messages and ignore the spelling or grammatical errors:

“ People like you dont value success, that’s why u cant attain one. U are just a sycophant & mediocre- who hav nothing 2 offer. We know pple like u, who run after appointments, ur brother Adeniyi, S.A to Yaradua on media, was once like u. I wont be surprised if the song changes again. Anyone dat hav not taste leadership, cant value what it takes 2 b one. Baba is still better than other past leaders. Either u like it or not, he is a force 2 b recon wt in Nig politics.”

“Obj, is the greatest leader Nig ever produced. D father of modern Nig. He put the military back 2 their original place, he stabilized democrac, he paid ur our foreign debt, ur money & I is safe in d bank thru capitalizatn, Nafdac helped u not 2 be killed prematuredly thru fake drugs, no fuel scarcity, Nig has its rightful place in the comity of nation, etc, only a daft, dumb and idiots will be blinded 2 dis laudable achivenment. He met Nig in a swamp He.sandfilled it.” ‘Dear dele it is amazing how people like u who have been bought over with fat brown envelopes by politicians who have been stealing from d civil servant days. Dat Obasanjo has shortcomings cant be denied bt 2 say dat he hasn’t achieved anything is wickedness of d highest order tanx.’

‘Am surprised at ur laughable write up. Instead of u 2 focus on current political issue, u turned urself 2 an historian, u shd rather go 2 d class room & teach history, instead of boring us wt academic write-up. U are only riding on pple error dat’s human, 2 rise to stardom, what hav u contributed? Nothing! Rather than bad blood. Though is ur opinion, its not binding on anybody. Series or not ur barrel is empty, nothing to write again.’ ‘I appreciate ur concern in govt policies turning Nigeria into consuming nation in obj era. But u lack flu 2 knw dat one step lead 2 another. U just want 2 be amongst critics. Ur tribune view is empty’

‘When a sentimental man talks or writes he just rearranges his thoughts. That is what you are doingon Obasanjo. That you don’t appreciate the GSM and its multiplier effects speaks volumes of your spirit of appreciation. Whether you like it or not Obasanjo has done well on the issue of GSM and nobody can take that away from him’ ‘You are one of those who criticize Obasanjo administration with their eyes closed and without thinking. Woe unto you.’ ‘Bamidele I am one of those people that feal sorry for Nigerians on our comment on Obasanjo, how many years have we been put under dept by Hausa ruller, that Baba came and paid all. What about all decay power generators transformer etc. let wait and see Yaradua govt.’

‘TELL US SOMETHING ELSE dear mr Aturu we are tired of stories on obasanjo he has done is part good or bad posterity is there if you and your colleagues are so good in government contest for an elective post or present effective blue print on governance or in the alternative shut up’ ‘Look nobody is discouraging u abt OBJ.my problem wt u is dat there is no objectivity in ur report. During d time of cellular, how many pple can afford N200,000 2 buy it. At least every Tom Dick & Harry can afford it during OBJ time. It’s a pity dat ur criticism is highly destructive. Are you telling me no good thing can has never come from OBJ? Pple like you are just noise maker, who is looking 4 cheap publicity to come to limelite. OBJ is my hero.’

This piece is not edited