Letter to President: Obasanjo challenges President Jonathan and others to go to court

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has challenged those dissatisfied with the issues he raised in his now famous letter to President Goodluck Jonathan to take him to court, insisting he would not trade words with anybody on the matter.

Mr. Obasanjo, had in the 18-page letter dated December 2, to Mr. Jonathan accused the president of failing to deliver on his electoral promises, promote national unity, check corruption and strengthen national security.

He also accused the President of planning to renege on his promise to stay for only one term in office and of training a killer squad for the 2015 general elections.

The former president had come under intense criticisms not only for writing the letter, which he titled “Before it is too late” but also for raising those issues.

Mr Obasanjo, who spoke with Premium Times on Monday through an aide, Tunde Oladunjoye, during a telephone interview, insisted he would not join issues with any one on the controversial letter.

The former President’s office was calledo to respond to the claim by a PDP chieftain in Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, that he (Kashamu) spent a whopping N3 billion to help him (Obasanjo) defeat former Governor Gbenga Daniel during the 2011 elections.

“Baba will not join issues with Kashamu,” Mr. Oladunjoye said. “Baba’s letter is very clear. Any individual that is dissatisfied with any part of that letter can go to court, but Baba will not join issues with Kashamu or with anyone for that matter.”

Mr. Oladunjoye then declined further comments, saying that was all he was willing to say on behalf of former President Obasanjo.

Pressed for more comments, Mr. Oladunjoye said he would only continue if he allowed to speak for himself, a request he was granted.

Speaking for himself on Mr. Kashamu’s claim, Mr. Oladunjoye, who was the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State in the 2011 elections, said it was laughable for Mr. Kashamu to try to disparage Mr. Obasanjo, adding that the PDP chieftain would need to examine his conscience and political strategy.

He said, “Kashamu need to examine his conscience and strategy. Not long ago he took on African Independent Television. A politician who knows his worth does not take on a community paper on flimsy excuses let alone an organisation like AIT.

“I see it as laughable. If they say you are wanted for drug trafficking and money laundering and you are saying you spent N3 billion on behalf of someone. Is that not further indicting. If you spent N3 billion, where did you get it from? What kind of investment did you do? Is it legitimate? If you say you made $700 million at the age of 30, how did you make that?

Mr Oladunjoye predicted that those criticising the former President for writing the letter to Mr. Jonathan would eventually swallow their words as they had done in the past because they (critics) did not have the mandate of the president to do so.

 
Credit: Festus Owete/Premium Times