Leadership (Abuja)
Mohammed Sani Abubakar
27 February 2008
opinion
Abuja — The alleged sex scandal that has rocked the family of former President Olusegun Obasanjo has not only brought disgrace to the family, but also disrepute to the entire nation says Mohammed Sani Abubakar in this write up.
He cautions that the issue should be handled carefully to save Nigeria from further embarrassment.
Long before the incest scandal involving the former President Olusegun Obasanjo was reported by the media, we have heard similar cases of immoral acts committed by our former leaders since independence. The history of immoralities by political leaders in Nigeria is therefore, not entirely new.
However, there is need for Nigerians to treat such with caution, otherewise we keep washing our dirty linen in the public, thereby, making us the laughing stock of other nationals living with us and even beyond. Of course, no one would want to encourage, let alone, promote such unsavoury acts of lewdness and lasciviousness among our leaders no matter the interest, provocation or even political differences that may have been amongst us.
Constructive criticism in governance is encouraged if it is positive because it makes leaders to sit up and face their challenges of leadership squarely in the overall interest of the populace and the country. Agreed that Gbenga Obasanjo had deposed to an affidavit in court challenging the weird and despicable act of incest by his father for having an alleged sexual affair with his wife Mojisola, but we must also know that a true son of his father could not have gone public to expose such inanity to the public let alone, file a case in court of law no matter the provocation, hatred, animosity and other mundane differences that might have been between the father and son.
The whole episode and saga as far as moralists are concerned, is unfortunate. Two wrongs they say, don't make a right. Granted that Gbenga Obasanjo might, indeed, have good case against his father - but why go public. This is an ungrateful and wicked act. After all, he married a promiscuous woman if indeed what we read about the personality of Moji is anything to go by. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. For God's sake, how can a sane and true son take his father to court and under such horrible and preposterous circumstances? The whole scenario leaves a bitter taste in one's mouth. I weep for Nigeria. We seldom read about such matters in other countries. We, here have jettisoned our ethical and moral values and we have no respect at all for private and public morality. We pretend about adherence to religious tenets only to engage in devilish acts which give a sharp contrast to our religious backgrounds and practices.
The press in Nigeria needs to consider the national and public interests, and always separate the chaff from the grains before going public. For once, let us carefully select only information, events and stories that have good and positive meanings for publication even though we do not encourage censorship, bias and other prejudices. Our country's image and integrity are involved when we make such pernicious revelations. What would the rest of the world say about us? When the case of Monica Lewinsky came to the limelight, President Bill Clinton in the scandal was solidly supported by members of his family, including his wife Hilary who is now a presidential candidate under the platform of the Democrat.
Even the American Press did not expose it initially, until after it had been blown open by Monica through her confession. The denial by Clinton and apology was accepted in good faith because 'to err is human and to forgive is divine.' The episode did not prevent Clinton from getting a second term because Americans rallied around their President. In contrast, Nigerians are always in the habit of exposing and denigrating their own, and particularly our leaders. Who is perfect any way? We are all fallible, aren't we? Jesus Christ taught his disciples, not to look into the specks in another person's eyes forgetting theirs. He also enjoined them to forgive for our undoings as human beings. When a woman who committed adultery was about to be stoned, he asked those who were not guilty to throw the first stone and they couldn't because they were all guilty. The lesson here is that we must allow God in the hereafter to judge each and everyone of us. Even in the case of adultery reported to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the adulterous woman who herself confessed and demanded for the stoning, she had to be turned back thrice and had her baby delivered and weaned before judgement was metted out to her. That was the only time the judgement was ever carried out during the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam even though the penalty (hudud) was in force. We must therefore, learn from these instances and examples set by both Christ and Muhammed (PBUH) if indeed we are their loyal and sincere followers.
We lay claim to being religious and make pretences, but our acts of commission prove us to be mere charlatans and hypocrites. It is now common to see some highly respected leaders and elders in our society, bleaching their skin, trying to change their pigmentation for God knows why. Many of such past leaders with shoddy and dirty pasts are now revered and considered as heroes and statesmen whose words are golden and sanctimonious. The issues of public and private morality are not often given their pride of place in Nigeria's political lexicon, otherwise, those with negative and moral laxity and antecedents like Obasanjo and those before him, should not have been at the saddle of our leadership in the first place. We were once told by those who should know that some of our past leaders expired while performing immoral acts with some imported prostitutes. We were also told during the Oputa show, that a former Head of State who inherited some 500 Limousine cars from the expired one shared them out to his girl friends and mistresses during his regime. The mind boggling revelations of the past relating to private and public morality and bankruptcy of our leaders past and present, leave much to be desired. The people must insist on sound and acceptable rectitude and impeccable character from those who aspire to rule us or else, we would continue to wallow from one sexual scandal to another, thereby dragging the name of the country into disrepute, shame and opprobrium. Nigeria's interests, image and consideration outweigh any personal aggrandisement of any living mortal, for, no one is indispensable. Nigeria must make progress regardless of what others would say or do. The constitution has made it abundantly clear that only those with credible and sound morality are considered fit and proper to rule the nation and where any leaders is found wanting or lacking, he must be removed through propular will of the people, ie impeachment.
However, the situation in Nigeria calls for moral re-engineering and direction, so that people considered morally unfit should not be saddled with leadership positions. It is therefore an aberration to hear that our leaders keep chasing prostitutes with impunity and shamelessness. Today, many of them keep harem of women out of wedlock and mistresses across the Niger and even beyond. Such mistresses and concubines who are big time contractors are even influential and powerful and can make things happen rapidly for themselves and others. They can make our leaders do anything they want them to do. They can influence policy directions and attract lucrative contracts. They are capable of changing decisions and actions to swing to whatever direction they might desire. Most of our leaders are therefore considered and seen as randy, lewd and puerile. However, we seem indifferent to their immoral acts as if we accept them. Moral laxity and decadence in our body polity must be tackled head long if we are to forestall the kind of shame Gbenga Vs Obasanjo case has brought to the nation. There are many such cases abound but not celebrated or reported with same intensity as that of the former President. I do know that incest is an offence under our laws, but, we shall see how the case would go eventually in the court where Mr. Gbenga deposed his affidavit. Whether former President Obasanjo would be considered guilty or not is left for time to tell. However, the case if not proven right must be considered to thrash bin of history, and Obasanjo must get apologies and compensation for the overwhelming defamation and attention the issue has drawn in Nigeria. Mr. Gbenga must surely be an ingrate, to have the effrontery and audacity to expose his biological father whose only 'offence' was to have gone to bed with his 'prostitute' wife. Afterall, he should have known better that he married a "hot pant" and "whore" who could do it with even her biological father as alleged by her husband who is even questioning the paternity of their two children.
What a shame and stupidity! When he married Moji, he should have known long before about her extra-marital activities if indeed he was serious and not being mischievous. He should have let sleeping dogs lie, rather than disgrace his own family thereby making him a big fool and a prodigal son that is supposed to be disowned by his father for the shame he has brought to the family. The whole episode has now been heavily politicised. Even those who were in the same shoes with the former President in similar moral laxity are now talking and calling for his resignation as chairman, BOT of the PDP. The pot should not be calling the kettle black. All those talking and calling for the head of former President Obasanjo are also guilty of similar if not worse cases of immoralities - lesbianism, homesexualism, cultism, sexual promiscuity, fetish practices, corruption and killing of political rivals etc. Nigeria's political class is wicked, ruthless, and avaricious. They are so desperate and can do any despicable thing to remain relevant and get power. They are all birds of the same feather until such a time when they shall be rid of and save the nation from the politics of deceit and moral decadence that are the stock in trade today. God save the nation.
Abubakar writes from Maiduguri
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