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It was General Buhari another past dictator that first blew the whistle on IBB when the imitable governor of Abia,gov.Orji Kalu  was trying to reconcile the warring ‘friends’. He accused the evil genius of keeping mute about the vexed 3rd term and challenged him to tell the world where he stands on the issue. The answer was predictable; IBB kept more quite on the issue at least to the keen watchers of events in Nigeria. Obviously he was saying that he has avenues to get to the presidency on matters he wanted to discuss privately. He has however forgotten that most notable Nigerians that have either voiced their anger against or support for the 3rd term equally had their avenues to get to OBJ privately. Infact most them would have done that before going to the public when they realised that OBJ is hell bent on ruining Nigeria.

Considering this hide and seek game he has forced on himself, the media frenzy created by the interview granted few selected editors by the former dictator and evil genius, is understandable. The editors were glad about an opportunity to crush the ambivalent cocoon the dictator had built around himself. So they prompt, pet, cajoled, forced and even put words in his mouth all in the name of extracting information about 3rd term, his presidential ambition and other burning issues that he ordinarily invited them for.

Characteristically each time he was asked a question that deserves a straightforward, principled and decisive answer, he would lunch in to rigmarole of some sorts, saying nothing and taking no stand in the process. Each time he opens his month, deceit, incoherence and contradictions flow from it. He dished out vagueness in abundance. I believe the editors were not surprised at the turn of the interview. He appeared to have told the editors; go and deduce what you like by emphasising that he is political animal. Whatever that is credited to him he could deny either rightly or wrongly to suit him…………

This is the biggest problem IBB has. Anybody that takes the issue of genuine governance seriously and still believes that something good can ever come out of IBB should have his/her head examined. He is a bundle of self-doubt, deceit and   cowardice. He deludes himself to be clever. He is always waiting, bidding, scheming, watching and praying for an opportunity to latch on to score a cheap- underserved relevance in the scheme of things.

He always wants people to believe that is studious, intelligent, and bold. But from his antecedents, disposition and utterances, we know that he is the exact opposite of all these attributes. He even adds treachery to the long list of his infamous repertoire of weaknesses. He said he would write a book and put some records straight He would talk about the 12billion dollars oil windfall. He would talk about MKO and June 12,He would do this .He would do that……….But what has he said and done about all these pending felonies. He is just an over indulged misnomer in our polity!

All these ranting, half truths, and showmanship can only appeal to people of little minds, because as human beings we all know that we have our strengths and weaknesses and any body that refuses to acknowledge his weakness as IBB does all the time is not only doomed but would be a subject of ridicule in the eyes of people. People like this are dangerous and unfit to govern the society because no matter how hard they try they would always ruin the society they govern with their ill will.

IBB should know that what the editors would have loved to hear and indeed Nigerians is either a principle –emphatic stand against 3rd term or a criminal encouragement of the bogey. All these hiding behind a finger would not help his cause or redemption. He said it is difficult for the agenda to sail through…. What if it sails through, (God forbid)what would that mean….he will support the bogey?

n his ambition that he was so cowardly reluctant to declare openly, let him know now that Obj will not blow any commencement whistle because he does not want to go anywhere. And Nigerians are not waiting for people like him to fight for us because he can’t. After the fight, he should continue to steer clear of our polity for any attempt to reap where he did not sow will further lead to more crisis. After all he has expressed his fear of what happened to those that declared their ambition before now. He has never being known to throw his hat in the ring for anything. He believes that power is something that must be stealthily and treacherously conveyed to him at all times. Nigerians still remember how badly shaken he was when Major Orkar and co attempted to seize power from him at Dodan barracks in Lagos before he hurriedly ran to the fortress of Aso rock in Abuja.

One of his confused supporters, Professor Omoruyi let out some vital information on him as regards the events that occurred after the criminal annulment of June 12 .He told us how IBB was, dejected, floating, begging and crying, when different groups (of Abacha, Dongoyaro and David mark) he has variously promised head state after the confusion in an arrange style were threatening to tear him apart before Abacha group eventually succeeded. No wonder he did not utter a word when we were fighting for our freedom from the tyranny forced on us by him.

If the evil genius know what is the best for him he should just admit his weakness and limitations now and tell himself the truth that no matter how hard he tries Nigerians can never be taken for a ride again, mere mentioning of his name brings back bad memories and loath full public opinion he sort after as the pre-requisite for running.It is the desperate epicureans like Alex Akinyele, Habu Fari, Kazeem Afegbua,Bashiru Abiola, the blind loyality of Gen. Akilu,Shagaya,Col Togun,the confused academics of Profs.Omoruyi,Jubril Aminu and very few mercenary- business men who sees him as a cash cow who will be telling him otherwise.

Nigerians have had enough of his maradonic feats and deceptions. What we need from him is to admit his mistakes and try to atone for his sins by standing by the truths with the masses. This he could do by apologising sincerely for the annulment of June 12 election and other atrocities committed during his kleptomaniac tenure. He should also find a way of returning part of his looted funds to the people via one genuine legal empowering scheme or the other. He could also make do giving sincere advice to those that finds their selves in governance by urging them to learn from his mistakes, as General Yakubu Gowon appears to be doing lately. He has an example in Gowon, so that the assignment should not be too difficult for him if he truly wants to reconcile with Nigeria and Nigerians.

Lastly he must desist from scheming for the post of the presidency. He has had his own chance and decided to make a big mess of it. If for whatever reason he insists on carrying on albeit stealthily what shall befall him will be more that the disgrace he experienced during the June 12 crisis. A word should be enough for someone who claimed to be wise.

Chris Apologun contributes from Sweden.


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