Olusegun Obasanjo
| Ein sex anaa gender | male  |
|---|---|
| Ein country of citizenship | Nigeria |
| Name in native language | Oluṣẹgun Matthew Okikiọla Arẹmu Ọbasanjọ |
| Name wey dem give am | Olusegun |
| Nickname | Baba Africa |
| Ein date of birth | 5 March 1937 |
| Place dem born am | Abeokuta |
| Spouse | Stella Obasanjo, Oluremi Obasanjo |
| Kiddie | Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello |
| Native language | Yoruba |
| Languages edey speak, rep anaa sign | Yoruba, English, Nigerian Pidgin, Hausa |
| Ancestral home | Abeokuta, Nigeria |
| Ein occupation | politician, military personnel, engineer, minister |
| Position ehold | Chairperson of the African Union, President of Nigeria, Vice President of Nigeria, President of Nigeria |
| Educate for | Baptist Boys’ High School, Royal College of Defence Studies, Defence Services Staff College, Mons Officer Cadet School |
| Residence | Dodan Barracks |
| Work period (start) | 1958 |
| Political party ein member | Peoples Democratic Party |
| Candidacy in election | 1999 Nigerian presidential election, 2003 Nigerian presidential election |
| Religion anaa worldview | Protestantism, Baptists |
| Participant insyd | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2004 |
| Military or police rank | general |
| Participated in conflict | Nigerian Civil War, Operation Tail-Wind, Congo Crisis |
| Military branch | Nigerian Army |
Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo[1][2] (// ⓘ; Yoruba: Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ [ōlúʃɛ́ɡũ̄ ɔ̄básã̄d͡ʒɔ́] ⓘ; born c. 5 March 1937) be a Nigerian former army general, politician den statesman who serve as Nigeria ein head of state from 1976 to 1979 den later as ein president from 1999 to 2007. Ideologically a Nigerian nationalist, he be a member of de Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1998 to 2015, den since 2018.
Born insyd de village of Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming family of de Owu branch of de Yoruba, Obasanjo be educated largely be Abeokuta, Ogun State. He dey join de Nigerian Army den specialised insyd engineering den served insyd de Congo, Britain, den India, rising to de rank of Major. Insyd de late 1960s, he play a major role insyd combating Biafran separatists during de Nigerian Civil War, accepting demma surrender insyd 1970. Insyd 1975, a military coup established a junta plus Obasanjo as part of ein ruling triumvirate. After de triumvirate ein leader, Murtala Muhammed, be assassinated de following year, de Supreme Military Council[3] appoint Obasanjo as Head of State. Continuing Murtala ein policies, Obasanjo oversaw budgetary cut-backs den an expansion of access to free school education. Increasingly aligning Nigeria plus de United States, he sana emphasise support for groups opposing white minority rule insyd southern Africa. Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversee de 1979 election, after which he transferred control of Nigeria to de newly elected civilian president, Shehu Shagari. Obasanjo then retired to Ota, Ogun, where he become a farmer, published four books, den took part insyd international initiatives to end various African conflicts.
Insyd 1993, Sani Abacha seized power insyd a military coup. Obasanjo be openly critical of Abacha ein administration den insyd 1995 be arrested den convicted of being part of a planned coup, despite protesting ein innocence. While imprisoned, he become a born again Christian, plus providentialism strongly influencing ein subsequent worldview. He be released following Abacha ein death insyd 1998. Obasanjo dey enter electoral politics, becoming de PDP candidate for de 1999 presidential election which he win. As president, he de-politicised de military and both expanded the police and mobilised the army to combat widespread ethnic, religious, and secessionist violence. He withdraw Nigeria ein military from Sierra Leone den privatized various public enterprises to limit de country ein spiraling debt. He be re-elected insyd de 2003 election. Influenced by Pan-Africanist ideas, he was a keen supporter of de formation of de African Union den served as ein chair from 2004 to 2006. Obasanjo ein attempts to change de constitution to abolish presidential term limits be unsuccessful den brought criticism. After retiring, he dey earn a PhD insyd theology from de National Open University of Nigeria.[4]
Obasanjo has been described as one of de great figures of de second generation of post-colonial African leaders. He receive praise both for overseeing Nigeria ein transition to representative democracy insyd de 1970s den for ein Pan-African efforts to encourage cooperation across de continent. Critics maintain dat he be guilty of corruption, dat his administrations oversee human rights abuses, den dat as president he become too interested insyd consolidating den maintaining ein personal power.[3][5][6]
Early life (1937–1958)
[edit | edit source]Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo (or Matthew Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo) be born insyd Ibogun-Olaogun, a village insyd southwest Nigeria. Ein later passport gave ein date of birth as 5 March 1937, although dis be a later estimate, plus no contemporary records surviving. Ein father be Amos Adigun Obaluayesanjo "Obasanjo" Bankole den ein mother was Bernice Ashabi Bankole. The first of nine children, only he and a sister (Adunni Oluwole Obasanjo) survived childhood. He be born to de Owu branch of de Yoruba people. De village church be part of a mission set up by de U.S. Southern Baptist Church den Obasanjo be raised Baptist. Ein village sana contain Muslims den ein sister later convert to Islam to marry a Muslim man.
Obasanjo ein poppie be a farmer den until he be eleven years old, de boy be involved insyd agricultural labour. Aged eleven, he dey join de village primary school, den after three years, insyd 1951, he move on to de Baptist Day School insyd Abeokuta ein Owu quarter. Insyd 1952 he dey transfer to de Baptist Boys ein High School, sana insyd de town. Ein school fees be partly financed by state grants. Obasanjo do well academically, den at school become a keen Boy Scout. Although there be no evidence dat he be then involved insyd any political groups, e be at secondary school dat Obasanjo dey reject ein forename of "Matthew" as an anti-colonial act.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo ein poppie dey abandon ein wife den two children. Falling into poverty, Obasanjo ein mommie have to operate insyd trading to survive. To pay ein school fees, Obasanjo work on cocoa den kola farms, fished, collected firewood, den sell sand to builders. During de school holidays he sana work at de school, cutting de grass den oda manual jobs.
Insyd 1956, Obasanjo take ein secondary school exams, having borrowed money to pay for de entry fees. Dat same year, he begin courting Oluremi Akinlawon, de Owu daughter of a station master. They be engaged to be married by 1958. Leaving school, he move to Ibadan, where he take a teaching job. There, he sit for de entrance exam for University College Ibadan, but although he dey pass it he find dat he can not afford de tuition fees. Obasanjo then decided to pursue a career as a civil engineer, den to access dis profession, insyd 1958 dey answer an advert for officer cadet training insyd de Nigerian Army.
Early military career (1958–1966)
[edit | edit source]Military training: 1958–1959
[edit | edit source]Insyd March 1958, Obasanjo dey enlist insyd de Nigerian Army. He see it as an opportunity to continue ein education while earning a salary; he do not immediately inform ein family, fearing dat ein parents will object. E be at dis time dat de Nigerian Army be being transferred to de control of de Nigerian colonial government, insyd preparation for an anticipated full Nigerian independence, den there be attempts afoot to get more native Nigerians into de higher ranks of ein military. He be then send to a Regular Officers ein Training School at Teshie insyd Ghana. When stationed abroad, he send letters den presents to ein fiancé insyd Nigeria. Insyd September 1958, he be selected for six months of additional training at Mons Officer Cadet School insyd Aldershot, southern England. Obasanjo dey dislike it there, believing dat e be a classist den racist institution, den find it difficult adjusting to de colder, wetter English weather. It reinforce ein negative opinions of de British Empire den ein right to rule over ein colonised subjects. At Mons, he dey receive a commission den a certificate insyd engineering. While Obasanjo be insyd England, ein mommie die. Ein poppie then die a year later.
Insyd 1959, Obasanjo return to Nigeria. There, he be posted to Kaduna as an infantry subaltern plus de Fifth Battalion. Ein time insyd Kaduna be de first time dat Obasanjo lived insyd a Muslim-majority area. E be while he be there, insyd October 1960, dat Nigeria become an independent country.
Congo crisis: 1960–1961
[edit | edit source]Shortly after, de Fifth Battalion be sent to de Congo as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force. There, de battalion be stationed insyd Kivu Province, plus demma headquarters at Bukavu. Insyd de Congo, Obasanjo den odas be responsible for protecting civilians, wey include de ethnic Belgian minority, against soldiers who have mutinied against Patrice Lumumba ein government. Insyd February 1961, Obasanjo be captured by de mutineers while he be evacuating Roman Catholic missionaries from a station near Bukavu. De mutineers dey consider executing him but be ordered to release him. Insyd May 1961, de Fifth Battalion leave de Congo den return to Nigeria. During de conflict, he have been appoint a temporary captain. He later note dat de time spent insyd de Congo strengthened de "Pan-African fervour" of ein battalion.
Return from de Congo: 1961–1966
[edit | edit source]On ein return, Obasanjo bought ein first car, den be hospitalised for a time plus a stomach ulcer. On ein recovery, he be transferred to de Army Engineering Corps. Insyd 1962 he be stationed at de Royal College of Military Engineering insyd England. There, he dey excell den be described as "de best Commonwealth student ever". Dat year, he pay for Akinlawon to travel to London where she can join a training course. De couple marry insyd June 1963 at de Camberwell Green Registry Office, only informing demma families after de event. Dat year, Obasanjo be ordered back to Nigeria, although ein wife remain insyd London for three more years to finish ein course. Once insyd Nigeria, Obasanjo take command of de Field Engineering Squadron based at Kaduna. Within de military, Obasanjo steadily progress through de ranks, becoming a major insyd 1965. He use ein earning to purchase land, insyd de early 1960s obtaining property insyd Ibadan, Kaduna, den Lagos. Insyd 1965, Obasanjo be sent to India. En route, he dey visit ein wife insyd London. Insyd India, he dey study at de Defence Services Staff College insyd Wellington den then de School of Engineering insyd Poona. Obasanjo be appalled at de starvation dat he dey witness insyd India although take an interest insyd de country ein culture, something dat encouraged him to read books on comparative religion.
Nigerian Civil War
[edit | edit source]Pre-Civil War career: 1966–1967
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo dey fly back to Nigeria insyd January 1966 to find de country insyd de midst of a military coup lead by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna. Obasanjo be among those warning dat de situation can descend into civil war. He dey offer to serve as an intermediary between de coup plotters den de civilian government, which have transferred power to de military Commander-in-Chief Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. As de coup failed, Olusegun meet Ironsi insyd Lagos. Ironsi soon ended federalism insyd Nigeria through ein unification decree insyd May 1966, something which inflamed ethnic tensions. Insyd late July, a second coup take place. Insyd Ibadan, troops of northern Nigerian origin rebelled den killed Ironsi, sana massacring around two hundred Soldiers mainly from Southern Nigeria. General Yakubu Gowon took power.
While dis coup be taking place, Obasanjo be insyd Maiduguri. Hearing of it, he quickly return to Kaduna. There, he find dat northern troops from de Third Battalion be rounding up, torturing, den killing Igbo soldiers. De Governor of Northern Nigeria, Hassan Katsina, dey recognise dat although Olusegun be not Igbo, as a southerner he still be insyd danger from de mutinous troops. To protect them, Katsina dey send Olusegun den ein wife back to Maiduguri for ten days, while de violence abated. After dis, Obasanjo send ein wife to Lagos while returning to Kaduna einself, where he remain until January 1967. At dis point he be de most senior Yoruba officer present insyd de north.
Insyd January 1967, Obasanjo be posted to Lagos as de Chief Army Engineer. Tensions between de Igbo den northern ethnic groups dey continue to grow, den insyd May de Igbo military officer C. Odumegwu Ojukwu declare de independence of Igbo-majority areas insyd de southeast, forming de Republic of Biafra. On 3 July, Nigeria ein government posted Obasanjo to Ibadan to serve as commander of de Western State. De fighting between de Nigerian Army den de Biafran separatists break out on 6 July. On 9 July, Ojukwu send a column of Biafran troops over de Niger Bridge insyd an attempt to seize de Mid-West, a position from which e can attack Lagos. Obasanjo sought to block de roads leading to de city. De Yoruba commander Victor Banjo, who dey lead de Biafran attack force, tried to convince Obasanjo to let them through, but he decline.
Civil War command: 1967–1970
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo be then appointed de rear commander of Murtala Muhammed ein Second Division, which be operating insyd de Mid-West. Based at Ibadan, Obasanjo be responsible for ensuring dat de Second Division be kept supplied. Insyd de city, Obasanjo dey teach a course insyd military science at de University of Ibadan den built ein contacts insyd de Yoruba elite. During de war, there be popular unrest insyd de Western State, den to avoid responsibility for these issues, Obasanjo resign from de Western State Executive Council. While Obasanjo be away from Ibadan insyd November 1968, armed villagers mobilised by de farmers ein Agbekoya Association dey attack de Ibadan City Hall. Troops retaliate, killing ten of de rioters. When Obasanjo return he ordered a court of inquiry into de events.
Gowon decide to replace Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, who dey lead de attack on Biafra, but needed anoda senior Yoruba. He choose Obasanjo, despite de latter ein lack of combat experience. Obasanjo dey arrive at Port Harcourt to take up de new position on 16 May 1969; he now be insyd charge of between 35,000 den 40,000 troops. He spend ein first six weeks repelling a Biafran attack on Aba. He toured every part of de front, den be wounded while doing so. These actions earn him a reputation for courage among ein men. Insyd December, Obasanjo dey launch Operation Finishing Touch, ordering ein troops to advance towards Umuahia, which they take on Christmas Day. Dis cut Biafra insyd half. On 7 January 1970, he then launch Operation Tail-Wind, wey capture de Uli airstrip on 12 January. At dis, de Biafran leaders agreed to surrender.
On 13 January, Obasanjo meet plus Biafran military commander Philip Effiong. Obasanjo dey insist dat Biafran troops surrender demma arms den dat a selection of de breakaway state ein leaders go to Lagos den formally surrender to Gowon. De next day, Obasanjo dey speak on regional radio, urging citizens to stay insyd demma homes den guaranteeing demma safety. Many Biafrans den foreign media sources fear dat de Nigerian Army will commit widespread atrocities against de defeated population, although Obasanjo be keen to prevent dis. He order ein troops insyd de region to remain insyd demma barracks, maintain dat de local police should take responsibility for law den order. De Third Division, which be more isolated, do carry out reprisal attacks on de local population. Obasanjo be tough on de perpetrators, having those guilty of looting flogged den those guilty of rape shot. Gowon ein government make Obasanjo responsible for reintegrating Biafra into Nigeria, insyd which position he dey earn respect for emphasising magnanimity. As an engineer, he emphasise restoration of de water supply; by May 1970 all major towns insyd de region be reconnected to de water supply. Obasanjo ein role insyd ending de war make him a war hero den a nationally known figure insyd Nigeria.
Post-Civil War career: 1970–1975
[edit | edit source]Insyd June 1970, Obasanjo dey return to Abeokuta, where crowds welcome him as a returning hero. He then be posted to Lagos as de Brigadier commanding de Corps of Engineers. Insyd October, Gowon dey announce dat de military government will transfer authority to a civilian administration insyd 1976. Insyd de meantime, a ban on political parties remain insyd forces; Gowon make little progress towards establishing a civilian government. Under de military government, Obasanjo sit on de decommissioning committee which dey recommend dramatic reductions of troop numbers insyd de Nigerian Army over de course of de 1970s. Insyd 1974 Obasanjo be to de UK for a course at de Royal College of Defence Studies. On returning, insyd January 1975 Gowon dey appoint him as de Commissioner for Works den Housing, a position he hold for seven months, during which he largely be responsible for building military barracks.
Insyd 1970, Obasanjo dey buy a former Lebanese company insyd Ibadan, employing an agent to manage it. Insyd 1973 he register a business, Temperance Enterprises Limited, through which he can embark on commercial ventures after retiring from de military. He sana continue to invest insyd property; by 1974 he own two houses insyd Lagos den one each insyd Ibadan den Abeokuta. Rumours arise dat Obasanjo dey engage insyd de corruption dat be becoming increasingly widespread insyd Nigeria, although no hard evidence of dis ever emerged. Ein marriage plus Oluremi become strained as she dey opposed relationships plus oda women. Insyd de mid-1970s demma marriage be dissolved. Insyd 1976 he marry Stella Abebe insyd a traditional Yoruba ceremony.
Insyd Murtala ein government
[edit | edit source]Coup d'état of 1975 den aftermath
[edit | edit source]Insyd July 1975, a coup lead by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua den Joseph Garba dey oust Gowon, who flee to Britain. They have not inform Obasanjo of demma plans as he be known to be critical of coups as an instrument of regime change. De coup plotters dey want to replace Gowon ein autocratic rule plus a triumvirate of three brigadiers whose decisions can be vetoed by a Supreme Military Council. For dis triumvirate, they convince General Murtala Muhammed to become head of state, plus Obasanjo as ein second-in-command, and Danjuma as de third. Historian John Iliffe note dat of de triumvirate, Obasanjo be "the work-horse den de brains" den be de most eager for a return to civilian rule. Together, de triumvirate introduce austerity measures to stem inflation, establish a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, replace all military governors plus new officers who report directly to Obasanjo as Chief of Staff, den launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fire 11,000 officials from de civil service.
Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters: 1975–76
[edit | edit source]Insyd October 1975, de government announce plans for an election which will result insyd civilian rule insyd October 1979. E sana declare plans to create a committee to draft a new constitution, plus Obasanjo largely responsible for selecting de 49 committee members. On de recommendation of de Irifeke Commission, de government sana announce de creation of seven new states; at Obasanjo ein insistence, Abeokuta be to become de capital of one of these new states, Ogun. Sanso on de commission ein recommendation, e dey announce gradual plans to move de Nigerian capital from Lagos to de more central Abuja. Insyd January 1976, both Obasanjo den Danjuma be promoted to de ranks of Lieutenant General.
Both Murtala den Obasanjo be committed to ending ongoing European colonialism den white minority rule insyd southern Africa, a cause reflected insyd demma foreign policy choices. Dis cause increasingly become a preoccupation for Obasanjo. After Angola secure independence from Portugal, a civil war break out insyd de country. Nigeria recognised de legitimacy of de government declare by de MPLA, a Marxist group dey back by de Soviet Union, because de rival FNLA den UNITA be being assisted by de white minority government insyd South Africa. As well as providing material aid to de MPLA, Nigeria begin lobbying oda African countries to sana recognise de MPLA administration, den by early 1976 most states insyd de Organisation of African Unity (OAU) have done so. Insyd February 1976, Obasanjo lead a Nigerian delegation to an MPLA anniversary celebration insyd Luanda, where he declared: "Dis be a symbolic date, marking de beginning of de final struggle against colonialism, imperialism den racism insyd Africa."
Murtala ein assassination: 13 February 1976
[edit | edit source]Insyd February 1976, Colonel Buka Suka Dimka dey launch a coup against Nigeria ein government, during which General Murtala Muhammed be assassinated. An attempt sana be made on Obasanjo ein life, but de wrong individual be killed. Dimka dey lack widespread support among de military den ein coup failed, forcing him to flee. Obasanjo do not attend Murtala ein funeral insyd Kano, but declare dat de government will finance construction of a mosque on de burial site.
After de assassination, Obasanjo dey attend a meeting of de Supreme Military Council. He dey express ein desire to resign from government, but de Council successfully urge him to replace Murtala as head of state. He therefore become de council ein chair. Concern about further attempts on ein life, Obasanjo move into de Dodan Barracks, while 39 people dey accuse of being part of Dimka ein coup be executed, generating accusations dat Obasanjo ein response be excessive. As head of state, Obasanjo vow to continue Murtala ein policies.
Military Head of State (1976–1979)
[edit | edit source]Military triumvirate
[edit | edit source]Aware of de danger of alienating northern Nigerians, Obasanjo bring General Shehu Yar'Adua as ein replacement den second-in-command as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters completing de military triumvirate, plus Obasanjo as head of state den General Theophilus Danjuma as Chief of Army Staff, de three go on to re-establish control over de military regime. Obasanjo encourage debate den consensus among de Supreme Military Council. Many dey wonder why Obasanjo – as a Yoruba den a Christian – have appointed Yar'Adua, a member of de northern aristocracy, as ein second-in-command, rather dan a fellow Yoruba Christian.
Obasanjo dey emphasise national concerns over those of de regions; he encourage both children den adults to recite de new national pledge den de national anthem. Interested insyd getting a broader range of perspectives, each Saturday he hold an informal seminar on a topical issue to which people oda than politicians den civil servants be invited. Among those whose advice he sought be Islamic scholars den traditional chiefs.
Economic policy
[edit | edit source]By de mid-1970s, Nigeria get an overheated economy plus a 34% inflation rate. To deal plus Nigeria ein economic problems, Obasanjo pursue austerity measures to reduce public expenditure. Insyd ein 1976 budget, Obasanjo propose to reduce government expenditure by a sixth, curtailing prestige projects while spending more on education, health, housing, den agriculture. He sana set up an anti-inflation task force, den insyd a year of Obasanjo taking office, inflation have fallen to 30%. Obasanjo was generally adverse to borrowing money, but plus de support of de World Bank den International Monetary Fund Nigeria take out a $1 billion loan from a syndicate of banks. Leftist critics dey argue dat doing so left de country subservient to capitalism. Insyd de subsequent two years of Obasanjo ein government, Nigeria dey borrow a further $4,983 million.
Nigeria be undergoing nearly 3% annual population growth during de 1970s, something which will double de country ein population insyd just over 25 years. Obasanjo later dey note dat he dey unaware of dis at de time, plus ein government having no policy on population control. Nigeria ein population growth contributed to rapid urbanisation den an urban housing shortage. To deal plus dis, Obasanjo ein 1976 budget outline plans for de construction of 200,000 new housing units by 1980, although ultimately only 28,500 be built. Insyd 1976, Obasanjo ein government sana announce rent den price controls. To counteract de disruption of labour strikes, insyd 1976 Obasanjo ein government introduced legislation dat defined most major industries as essential services, banned strikes within them, den authorised de detention of disruptive union leaders. Insyd 1978 e dey merge 42 unions into de single Nigerian Labour Congress.
Obasanjo dey continue plus three major irrigation schemes insyd northern Nigeria dat be first announce under Murtala: de Kano River Project, de Bakalori Scheme, den de South Chad Irrigation Project. Ein government sana continue de Agricultural Development Projects launched insyd Funtua, Gusau, den Gombe. Some reforestation projects sana be initiated to stall de encroachment of de Sahara Desert insyd de north. To meet de country ein growing demand for electricity, Obasanjo oversee de launch of two new hydroelectric projects den a thermal plant. De oil industry remain an important part of Nigeria ein economy den under Obasanjo de Ministry of Petroleum Resources be merged plus de Nigerian National Oil Corporation to form de Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Obasanjo sana support de creation of a liquefaction plant at Bonny, which be 62% financed by de NNPC; de project be abandoned by ein successor amid spiralling cost increases. Obasanjo sana continue de planning of de Ajaokuta integrated steel mill, an inherited project dat many critics insyd de civil service argue be unviable.
Insyd de mid-1970s, Nigeria sana dey face declining agricultural production, a process cause by successive governments finding it cheaper to import food dan grow it domestically. Insyd May 1976, Obasanjo dey launch Operation Feed de Nation, a project to revitalise small-scale farming den which involve students being paid to farm during de holidays. De project sana involve abolishing duties on livestock feed den farm implements, subsidizing de use of fertilisers, den easing agricultural credit. Insyd March 1978, Obasanjo issue de Land Use Decree which give de state propriety rights over all land. Dis be designed to stop land hoarding den land speculation, den brought praise from de Nigerian left although be disliked by many land-owning families. Obasanjo see it as one of ein government ein main achievements.
Domestic policies
[edit | edit source]He (Obasanjo) dey continue de push for universal primary education across Nigeria, a policy inherited from Gowon. He introduce de Primary Education Act insyd de year 1976; between 1975–76 den 1979–80, enrolment insyd free but voluntary primary schooling grow from 6 million to 12.5 million, although there be a shortage of teachers den materials to cope plus de demand. Insyd de 1977–78 school year, Obasanjo introduce free secondary education insyd technical subjects, something dey extend to all secondary schooling insyd 1979–80.
Concomitantly, Nigeria cut back on university funding; insyd 1978 e dey cease issuing student loans den treble university food den accommodation charges. Student protests erupte insyd several cities, resulting insyd fatal shootings insyd Lagos den Zaria. Insyd response to de unrest, Obasanjo dey close several universities, dey ban political activity on campus, den proscribe de National Union of Nigerian Students. De severity of these measures be perhaps due to suspicions dat de student unrest be linked to a planned military coup dat be uncovered insyd February 1978. Obasanjo be frustrated at de protesting student ein behaviour, arguing dat e dey reflect a turn away from traditional values such as respect for elders.
As a consequence of Nigeria ein state-directed development, de country see a rapid growth insyd de public sector. Evidence dey emerge of extensive corruption insyd de country ein government, den while accusations often be made against Obasanjo einself, no hard evidence be produced. To hinder de image of corruption insyd de government, Obasanjo ein administration ban de use of Mercedes cars as government transport den instead introduced more modest Peugeot 504s. De import of champagne sana be banned. Pushing for cut-backs insyd de military, Obasanjo ein government see 12,000 soldiers demobilised over de course of 1976 den 1977. These troops go through new rehabilitation centres to assist them insyd adjusting to civilian life.
Obasanjo sana be accused of being responsible for political repression. Insyd one famous instance, de compound of de Nigerian musician den political activist Fela Kuti, Kalakuta Republic, be raided den burn to de ground after a member of ein entourage be involved insyd an altercation plus military personnel. Fela den ein family be beaten den raped den ein aged mommie, de political activist den founding mommie Chief Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, be thrown from a window. Dis resulted insyd serious injuries, den eventually lead to ein death. Fela subsequently carry a coffin to de then presidential residence at Dodan Barracks insyd Lagos as a protest against de government ein political repression.
Foreign policy
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo be eager to establish Nigeria as a prominent leader insyd Africa den under ein tenure ein influence insyd de continent increased. He dey revive Gowon ein plan to hold de second World Black den African Festival of Arts den Culture insyd Nigeria; e dey take place insyd Lagos insyd February 1977, although domestic critics argue dat e be too expensive. Obasanjo give low priority to de Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) den angered many of ein Francophone members after insisting dat, as de largest financial contributor to de organisation, Nigeria should host de organisation ein headquarters insyd Lagos. Relations plus nearby Ghana sana declined; insyd 1979, Nigeria cut off oil supplies to de country to protest de execution of political opponents by Jerry Rawlings new military junta.
Under Obasanjo, Nigeria loosened ein longstanding ties plus de United Kingdom den aligned more closely plus de United States. Obasanjo be favourable to de administration of U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who be elected insyd 1976, because of Carter ein commitment to ensuring majority rule across southern Africa. Carter ein ambassador to Nigeria, Andrew Young, form a close personal friendship plus Obasanjo, while Carter visited Nigeria insyd 1978. However, de decision to shift allegiances be made for pragmatic rather than ideological reasons; de discovery of oil insyd de North Sea meant dat de UK have become a competitor rather dan a customer of Nigerian oil. Obasanjo ein government sana be angry dat de UK refuse to extradite Gowon den dey suspect dat de British government might have been involved insyd de coup against Murtala. For these reasons, insyd 1976 it consider suspending diplomatic relations plus de UK, but ultimately do not. Obasanjo nevertheless dey refuse to visit de UK den discourage ein officials from doing so. Relations be further damaged when Margaret Thatcher become British Prime Minister insyd 1979, initiating a warmer British approach to de white minority administrations of Rhodesia den South Africa. Insyd response, Nigeria seize a British tanker dat be believed to be transporting Nigerian oil to South Africa, dey ban British firms from competing for Nigerian contracts, den nationalised British Petroleum ein Nigerian operations.
Obasanjo sana be eager to hasten de end of white minority rule insyd southern Africa; according to Iliffe, dis become "de centrepiece of ein foreign policy". Nigeria give grants to those fighting white minority rule insyd de region, allow these groups to open offices in Lagos, and offered sanctuary to various refugees fleeing the governments of southern Africa. Taking a hard line against de apartheid regime insyd South Africa, Obasanjo dey announce dat Nigeria will not take part insyd de 1976 Summer Olympics because New Zealand, which be competing, had sporting ties plus South Africa, a country dat be banned from competing due to apartheid. Insyd 1977, Obasanjo barred any contractors plus South African links from operating insyd Nigeria; de main companies dat be hit be British Petroleum den Barclays Bank. Dat same year, Nigeria dey host de United Nations Conference for Action Against Apartheid insyd Lagos, while Obasanjo dey visit de U.S. insyd October where he urge de country to stop selling arms to South Africa. While insyd de country he dey address de United Nations General Assembly den two weeks later Nigeria receive a seat on de United Nations Security Council.
Opposition to white minority rule insyd Rhodesia have sparked de Rhodesian Bush War den Obasanjo ein government maintained dat armed struggle be de only option for overthrowing Rhodesia ein government. He dey encourage unity among de various anti-government factions there, urging Robert Mugabe, de head of ZANU, to accept de leadership of ein rival, Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU. Insyd 1977, de UK den US draw up proposals for a transition to majority rule insyd Rhodesia, amid a period insyd which de country will be under de management of United Nations forces. Obasanjo backed de plan, den visited Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, den de Democratic Republic of Congo to urge their governments to do the same. However, after Thatcher become UK Prime Minister, Nigeria distance einself from British efforts to end de Rhodesian Bush War den be excluded from any significant role insyd de UK-brokered process dat lead to multi-racial democratic elections insyd Rhodesia.
As head of state, Obasanjo dey attend OAU summits. At dat hold insyd July 1977, he dey propose de formation of a standing committee to mediate disputes between OAU member states. At de 1978 conference, he dey warn of interference from both sides insyd de Cold War. At de next conference, he urge de formation of a Pan-African military which can engage insyd peace-keeping efforts on de continent. To promote Nigeria ein role internationally, Obasanjo involved einself insyd various mediation efforts across Africa. Insyd 1977, he persuade Benin den Togo to end demma border dispute den reopen demma frontier. He sana attempt to mediate a quarrel among several East African states den thus prevent de collapse of de East African Community, but dey fail insyd dis attempt. As de chair of de OAU mediation committee, he try to mediate de Ogaden dispute between Ethiopia den Somalia but be again unsuccessful. He sana fail to mend de breach dat have emerge between Angola den de Democratic Republic of Congo.
On behalf of de OAU, Obasanjo hold a conference at Kano to mediate de Chadian Civil War. Several factions agree to a ceasefire, to form a government of national unity, den to allow Nigerian troops to act as peacekeepers. De war nevertheless continued den Nigeria dey respond by cutting off ein oil supply to Chad. A second conference on de conflict take place insyd Lagos insyd August 1979, resulting insyd de formation of anoda short-lived transitional government. Insyd de final year of ein military government, he dey head an OAU mission to resolve de conflict insyd Western Sahara.
Transfer of power
[edit | edit source]De military government dey assemble a constituent drafting committee to devise a new constitution which can be used amid a transfer to civilian rule. De committee argue dat Nigeria should change ein governance system, which be based on de British parliamentary system, to one based on de U.S. presidential system whereby a single elected president will be both head of state den head of government. To avoid dis president becoming a dictator, as have happened elsewhere insyd Africa, e dey argue for various checks on demma power, wey include a federal structure whereby independent elected institutions will exist at de federal, state, den local level. De draft constitution be published insyd October 1976 den debate insyd public for de following year. A constituent assembly dey meet to discuss de draft insyd October 1977. De assembly deadlocked over what role to give sharia law insyd de constitution. Obasanjo called de assembly together den dey warn them of de social impact of demma decision, urging them to take a more conciliatory attitude. Insyd September 1978, de Supreme Military Council announce de new constitution; e dey make several amendments to de version put forward by de constituent assembly.
Along plus de new constitution, Obasanjo dey lift de ban on political parties. A variety of groups then form to compete insyd de ensuing election, most notably de Unity Party of Yoruba, de Nigerian People ein Party, den de National Party of Nigeria. Obasanjo be angered dat many of de politicians be making promises dat they can not keep. De elections take place over de course of July den August 1979. Turnout be low, at between 30 den 40 percent of legally register voters, den there be rigging on various sides, although e be peaceful. There be debate as to who win de presidential vote, den Obasanjo dey refuse to adjudicate, wey insist dat de Electoral Commission take on dat role. They declare dat Shehu Shagari be de winner, something dat de runner up, Obafemi Awolowo, unsuccessfully challenge at de Supreme Court. Shagari take office insyd October 1979; at ein inauguration ceremony, Obasanjo dey present Shagari plus a copy of de new constitution. Dis dey mark de start of Nigeria ein Second Republic.
Obasanjo ein role insyd returning Nigeria to civilian rule will form de basis of de good reputation he retain for de next two decades. However, various domestic den foreign individuals, wey include de Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda den Togo President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, urged him to remain insyd power. Ein refusal to back Awolowo, a fellow Yoruba, earn him de enmity of much of de Yoruba elite. Awolowo accuse Obasanjo of orchestrating Shagari ein victory, something Obasanjo strenuously deny.
Pre-presidency (1979–1999)
[edit | edit source]Before he left office, insyd April 1979, Obasanjo dey promote einself to de role of general; as a four-star general he continue to receive a salary from de state. Having left office insyd October, he return to Abeokuta. Following a six-week course at an agricultural training college, Obasanjo then set einself up as a farmer, hoping to set an example insyd encouraging agricultural self-reliance. He obtain at least 230 hectares of land insyd Ota on which to establish ein farm, there moving insyd to a brick farmhouse. There be local hostility to ein obtaining so much land, den much litigation be brought against him because of it. Ein agricultural activities be organise through ein Temperance Enterprises Limited, later rename Obasanjo ein Farms Limited. He dey devote particular attention to poultry farming; by de mid-1980s, ein farm be hatching 140,000 chicks a week. He sana set up farms insyd oda southwestern cities, den by 1987 ein farms have over 400 employees at eight locations. Like oda popular Yoruba figures, Obasanjo sponsor poor students at ein former school insyd Abeokuta.
Obasanjo grow critical of Shagari ein civilian government, deeming de president weak den ill-prepared. Nigeria dey enter economic recession due to fluctuations insyd global oil prices. Insyd May 1983, senior military figures dey ask Obasanjo to take over control insyd de country again, but he dey decline. Insyd December, they overthrow Shagari without Obasanjo ein involvement, insyd a coup dat see little violence. Muhammadu Buhari become de new military head of state. Obasanjo be initially supportive of Buhari ein government, stating dat representative democracy have failed insyd Nigeria. He dey praise Buhari ein War Against Indiscipline, ein halving of imports, den ein restoration of a balanced budget. Insyd August 1985, Buhari sanso be overthrown, plus de Army Chief of Staff Ibrahim Babangida taking power. Obasanjo be critical of some of de economic reforms dat Babangida introduce, wey include de devaluation of de naira. By 1992, ein opposition to Babangida ein rule have led him to call for a re-democratisation of Nigeria. He sana begin to reject de economic indigenisation policies of de 1970s, arguing dat de constitution should prohibit de confiscation of foreign investments. Instead, he think de government should emphasise private-led development. He become increasingly concerned by rapid population growth, a topic he have ignored while insyd power, urging Nigerians to have smaller families "insyd demma own economic den national socio-economic interest".
During de eleven years after Obasanjo dey leave office, he publish four books. Insyd 1980, Obasanjo be a Distinguished Fellow at de University of Ibadan, where he write My Command, an account of ein experiences during de civil war; e be published insyd November dat year. Some readers dey criticise what they see as Obasanjo ein disloyalty to Murtala Muhammed, while Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, a senior Yoruba political figure, dey urge for de book to be withdrawn to prevent it sowing division. A more positive assessment be made by ein friend, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who dey it masterly but believe dat it have involved much editorial assistance. Insyd 1987, he publish Nzeogwu, a memoir of ein friend Chukwuma Nzeogwu, plus whom he have served insyd de Congo. 1989 see de publication of Obasanjo ein next book, Constitution for National Integration den Development, insyd which he dey warn against Babangida ein argument for instituting a two-party system insyd Nigeria. Insyd 1990, ein third book, Not My Will, be published. E dey provide an account of ein time governing de country.
International activities: 1979–1993
[edit | edit source]Seeking to retain influence on de global stage, Obasanjo launch de Africa Leadership Forum from ein Ota farm. From 1981 to 1982, he sana sat on de Palme Commission, a group chair by de former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme which discuss disarmament den international security. Obasanjo dey follow dis plus membership on similar panels for de United Nations, de World Health Organization, den de Inter-Action Council of Former Heads of Government. When Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, de UN Secretary-General, fell ill, Obasanjo be considered as a potential successor. After Pérez de Cuéllar announced ein resignation, Obasanjo begin campaigning to replace him. At a vote of de UN Security Council, he come third, plus Egypt ein Boutros Boutros-Ghali taking on de role. He dey leave ein home on several visits; insyd 1986 he dey visit Japan, den insyd 1987 de U.S.
Amid a dispute insyd de Commonwealth of Nations over de UK ein more lenient view of South Africa, e be agreed that an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) will be formed to initiate dialogue plus de South African government insyd de hope of encouraging it toward dismantling apartheid. At de recommendation of Nigeria ein Deputy Secretary-General of de Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, Obasanjo be nominated to co-chair de group alongside former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. Obasanjo reluctantly dey agree. Insyd February 1986, he den Fraser travel to Cape Town where they ask to meet plus de imprisoned anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, a prominent member of de banned African National Congress (ANC). Obasanjo alone be permitted to meet plus Mandela; he later commented dat he be greatly impressed by him. Obasanjo then meet plus senior ANC figures insyd exile insyd Lusaka.
Insyd March 1986, de entirety of de EPG visited South Africa, during a period of growing domestic unrest den violence. There they meet plus senior government figures, wey include Prime Minister P. W. Botha, whom Obasanjo later describe as de most intolerant man he have ever met. De EPG EIN report dey state dat while a majority of South Africans desire a non-violent negotiated settlement between de government den anti-apartheid groups, de former be unwilling to contemplate dis den have made no significant progress towards ending apartheid. De EPG thus proposed dat further international pressure be necessary. A Commonwealth committee accept de report ein findings, plus de UK dissenting; dis left Obasanjo further frustrated plus Thatcher. De Commonwealth then commissioned him to head a committee to determine what de Frontline States needed to defend themselves from South African incursions.
After Botha be replaced by F. W. de Klerk, de latter freed Mandela from prison. One of Mandela ein first foreign trips be to Nigeria, where he dey visit Obasanjo at ein home. Two months later, Obasanjo dey lead a Nigerian delegation to South Africa for talks plus prominent political figures. Insyd September 1991, he dey visit again, where he urge de Zulu leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi to engage insyd negotiations plus oda factions to help end apartheid den hold a fully representative election.
Obasanjo sana dey work on developments elsewhere insyd Africa. He dey visit Angola twice during 1988, contributing to efforts to end de civil war there. He sana visit Sudan three times between 1987 den 1989, unsuccessfully encouraging negotiations to end de Second Sudanese Civil War. He then serve as an observer at de 1994 Mozambican general election. Insyd 1994 den 1995, he visit Burundi, where he dey work to calm tensions between de Hutu den Tutsi ethnic groups. He dey begin calling for closer integration across Africa, proposing dis can be achieve through de formation of six regional confederations. Insyd June 1987, he have sketched out plans for an Africa Leadership Forum, which will help to provide skills den training for politicians from across de continent. E dey begin holding meetings, known as de Farm House Dialogues, from Obasanjo ein home about six times a year. It sana held quarterly international meetings den issued a quarterly magazine, Africa Forum, between 1991 den 1993.
Opposing Abacha: 1992–1995
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo voiced concern that, despite ein professed claims to support a return to democracy, Babangida have no intention of stepping down as military head of state. After de presidential primaries be cancelled insyd 1992, Obasanjo den Anthony Enahoro launch de Association for Democracy den Good Governance insyd Nigeria. De group ein inaugural meeting bring together 31 domestic political figures at Ota insyd May 1993. An election followed insyd June 1993, which see low turnout. Moshood Abiola of de Social Democratic Party (SDP) win, but Babangida then annulled de election result, promising a second election soon after. De SDP opposed any second election as they argue dat demma candidate dey already win de first. Babangida then agree to step down insyd favour of an interim civilian government, lead by Ernest Shonekan, which take power insyd August 1993 den set out plans for new elections insyd February 1994.
Meanwhile, Sani Abacha dey consolidate ein control of de military den insyd November 1993 pressured Shonekan into resigning, allowing einself to take power. Obasanjo dey telephone Abacha prior to de coup, urging him not to take dis course of action. After Abacha have seized power, he dey ask Obasanjo to meet him. De latter do, but dey refuse to support Abacha ein government until it dey announce a date for ein own departure. Abacha then abolish de existing political parties den democratic institutions den called for politicians from various backgrounds to join ein Federal Executive Council; Obasanjo dey refuse to nominate anyone for dis council.
Obasanjo dey begin warning dat Nigeria be headed towards anoda civil war along ethnic divisions, den insyd May 1994 he den Yar'Adua dey launch de National Unity Promoters, a group dedicated to preventing dis outcome. Insyd June, Abiola unilaterally declare himself Nigeria ein president den be arrested for treason. Although Obasanjo dey refuse to endorse Abiola ein claim, he do advise Abacha not to arrest him. He then lead a group of traditional leaders at a meeting insyd which they attempted to initiate a dialogue between Abacha den Abiola. Ein refusal to support Abiola anger many Yoruba people den Obasanjo ein property insyd Yorubaland be attacked. Obasanjo be upset by what he see as punishment for not backing Yoruba sectarian interests.
Insyd March 1995, Obasanjo be insyd Denmark for a UN Summit on Social Development insyd Copenhagen. While there, he heard dat Yar'Adua have been detained den dat he will probably face de same fate if he return to Nigeria. He nevertheless argue dat he have done nothing wrong den thus decide to return. Once at Lagos Airport, ein passport was confiscated and the next day, police picked him up from his Ota home. De police accuse Obasanjo of links to a coup against Abacha being plotted by Colonel Lawan Gwadabe. Obasanjo be moved between various detention centres, while former US President Carter personally contact Abacha requesting Obasanjo ein release. Obasanjo be then return to Ota, where he be placed under house arrest for two months, during which time he be denied access to media, de telephone, or visitors.
Anoda of those accuse of being involved insyd de plot, Colonel RSB Bello-Fadile, a military lawyer, have been tortured, during which he sign a statement dat he dey go to Ota to inform Obasanjo about de coup as e be insyd preparation. Dis be used as evidence to charge Obasanjo plus concealment of treason, a capital offense under Nigerian law. He then be taken to de State Security Interrogation Centre at Ikoyi. Abacha dey insist dat Obasanjo be tried before a military court, which took place on 19 June 1995. At the trial, Obasanjo denied that RSB Bello-Fadile had ever meet him. RSB Bello-Fadile sana maintained dat he have signed de statement implicating Obasanjo under duress, but de court rejected dis retraction. On 14 July, de court sentenced Obasanjo to 25 years insyd prison; Yar'Adua den fourteen odas sana accuse of being part of de conspiracy be sentenced to death. Obasanjo later call it ein "saddest day". After de US President Bill Clinton dey state dat ein country will embargo Nigerian oil if these executions take place, Abacha commuted demma sentences to imprisonment den reduce Obasanjo ein sentence to 15 years.
Imprisonment: 1995–1998
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo dey spend de next four months at de Ikoyi Centre, where he initially be chained up insyd solitary confinement. He then be transferred to Lagos' main prison, Kirikiri, where he spend time insyd de prison hospital for ein hypertension den diabetes. Conditions insyd Kirikiri be overcrowded den unsanitary, plus Obasanjo stating dat he "will not wish it on my worst enemy". There, RSB Bello-Fadile dey apologise to Obasanjo for having implicated him, at which Obasanjo forgive him. A note written by RSB Bello-Fadile explaining de situation be then smuggled out of de prison den published, helping to demonstrate Obasanjo ein innocence.
After several weeks, Obasanjo den de oda alleged conspirators be moved to Jos prison insyd de central plateau, Plateau State where they spend several months. Obasanjo be initially given only de Bible den Quran to read, but gradually dey allow a wider range of literature. Writing material sana be granted to him, allowing him to correspond plus various people den institutions, den eventually Stella be permitted to visit him once a month. Both Mandela den Pope John Paul II dey call for ein release, plus Indian den German foundations both awarding him international prizes. De Africa Leadership Forum dey produce two volumes of letters den essays written insyd ein honour; de Forum einself have been forced to relocate to Accra insyd Ghana to avoid persecution from Abacha ein government.
Insyd early 1996, Obasanjo be moved from Jos to de more remote prison at Yola, Adamawa State. There, he be allowed to cultivate a garden. Obasanjo related dat insyd prison he deepened ein Christian faith den grow closer to God, becoming a born-again Christian. From dat point, Christianity play a much larger role insyd ein personal world-view. At Yola, he preached 28 weekly sermons after visiting ministers be temporarily banned. He dey write these sermons down, wey allow them to be published when he be released. Obasanjo sana dey try to reform some of de younger prisoners, following up on demma progress once he become a free man. Obasanjo dey fear dat he will be poisoned, particularly amid public speculation dat Yar'adua ein death have been caused by deliberate poisoning. Abacha die suddenly insyd June 1998, after which de military commanders dey appoint Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar as ein successor. A week later, Abubakar order Obasanjo ein release, sending a plane to return him to Ota. Eager to return Nigeria to civilian rule, Abubakar dissolve de country ein existing parties den institutions den announced a plan dat will lead to a civilian president being installed insyd May 1999.
Campaigning for de presidency: 1998–1999
[edit | edit source]Now a free man, Obasanjo travel to South Africa, de United Kingdom, den de United States, where he undergo medical treatment. New political parties be forming across Nigeria, one of de largest of which be de Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an umbrella group dat sought to be sufficiently broad dat if insyd power it will deter future coups. Prominent PDP members dey propose Obasanjo as an ideal presidential candidate. They feel dat he can command international respect den dat as a military figure he can hold de country together against future coups den secessionist movements. They sana argue dat Nigeria dey need a southern president to balance out ein previous northern leadership den dat Obasanjo have proved einself as a southerner who have no partisan prejudice against de north.
Friends den family dey urge him not to run, saying dat he will damage ein good reputation or be killed. Obasanjo appear reluctant, but on 28 October he dey join de PDP den a week later announce dat he be putting einself forward to be de party ein presidential nominee. Insyd ein campaign, he dey emphasize ein desire to restore what he deemed de legacy of good governance when he dey leave office insyd 1979. At a fundraising dinner, he dey gain N356 million, of which N120 million have been donated by industrialist Aliko Dangote. Most of these donations dey come from military men den de new business class. He tour de country, giving speeches den seeking audiences plus influential persons; courting state governors be a significant element of ein approach. Ein campaign overshadowed dat of ein main rival, Alex Ekwueme, who widely be mistrusted by northerners den de military.
De PDP be gaining ground insyd Nigeria, proving de most successful party insyd de local government elections of December 1998, de state elections insyd January 1999, den de Senate den House of Representatives elections insyd February 1999. On 14 February 1999, a PDP convention be called to select ein presidential candidate. Obasanjo receive 1,658 votes, to 521 for Ekwueme, den 260 for de oda five candidates. Seeking a northerner as de PDP ein vice presidential candidate, Obasanjo dey select Atiku Abubakar. De presidential election take place on 27 February; Obasanjo ein sole opponent be de APP ein Olu Falae. About a quarter of those eligible to vote do so, den there be some rigging although no violence. De official tally give Obasanjo 63 percent of de vote; he be de loser insyd all six states of ein native Yorubaland.
Presidency (1999–2007)
[edit | edit source]First term (1999–2003)
[edit | edit source]After having it exorcised, Obasanjo dey move into de presidential complex at Aso Rock insyd May, 1999 after taking de presidential oath at de Eagle Square insyd Abuja. While appointing ein new government, he dey select an even number of ministers from de north den south of Nigeria, although de fact dat a majority be Christian upset some Muslim northerners. Critics generally characterised Obasanjo ein cabinet as being too old den conservative, as well as lacking insyd experience, especially when dealing plus economic matters. During ein first administration de levels of freedom experienced by Nigerians increased; freedom of de press dey allow for considerable criticism of de president.
Insyd de initial months of ein presidency, Obasanjo dey retire around 200 military officers, wey include all 93 who hold political positions, thus making a coup by experienced officers less likely. He sana move de Defence Ministry from Lagos to Abuja, ensuring it be brought under more direct government control.
Second term (2003–2007)
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo be re-elected insyd a tumultuous 2003 election dat have violent ethnic den religious overtones. Ein main opponent, fellow former military ruler General Muhammadu Buhari, be Muslim den draw ein support mainly from de north. Capturing 61.8% of de vote, Obasanjo dey defeat Buhari by more than 11 million votes.
Insyd November 2003, Obasanjo be criticized for ein decision to grant asylum to e deposed Liberian president, Charles Taylor. On 12 June 2006, he dey sign de Greentree Agreement plus Cameroonian President Paul Biya which formally put an end to de Bakassi peninsula border dispute. Even though de Nigerian Senate dey pass a resolution declaring dat de withdrawal of Nigerian troops from de Bakassi Peninsula be illegal, Obasanjo give de order for it to continue as planned.
Insyd ein second term, Obasanjo dey continue to ensure de expansion of de country ein police force, which rise to 325,000 insyd 2007. Ongoing rural violence between Muslims den Christians insyd Plateau State dey lead Obasanjo to declare a state of emergency there insyd May 2004, suspending de state government den installing six months of military rule. On 22 August 2005, de then governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, dey submit a petition alleging corrupt practices against Obasanjo to de EFCC.
Third term agenda
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo be embroiled insyd controversy regarding ein "Third Term Agenda", a plan to modify de constitution so he can serve a third, four-year term as president. Dis lead to a political media uproar insyd Nigeria den de bill no be ratified by de National Assembly. Consequently, Obasanjo dey step down after de April 2007 general election. Insyd an exclusive interview dey grant to Channels Television, Obasanjo deny involvement insyd what has been defined as "Third Term Agenda". He say dat e be de National Assembly dat dey include tenure elongation amongst de oda clauses of de Constitution of Nigeria dat be to be amended. Obasanjo dey state: "I never toyed plus de idea of a third term."
Obasanjo be condemned by major political players during de Third Term Agenda saga. Senator Ken Nnamani, former president of de Nigerian Senate, dey claim Obasanjo inform him about de agenda shortly after he become senate president. He say: "Immediately, I become senate president, he tell me of ein intentions den tell me how he want to achieve it. I initially do not take him seriously until the events begin to unfold." He sana insinuated dat Eight Billion Naira be spent to corrupt legislators to support de agenda, asking: "How can someone talk like dis dat he didn't know about it, yet money, both insyd local den foreign currencies, exchange hands." Femi Gbajabiamila corroborated Nnamani ein account but put de figure differently, stating: "De money totaled over N10 billion. How can N10bn be taken out of de national treasury for a project when you be de sitting President, yet dat project no be your idea? Where do de money come from?" Insyd de following quotes, Nnamani say US president George W. Bush warn Obasanjo to desist from ein plan to contest presidential election for de third term. He comment: "If you want to be convinced dat de man only be telling a lie, pick up a copy of de book written by Condoleezza Rice, a former US secretary of state. E actually be an autobiography by Rice. On page 628 or page 638, she discuss Obasanjo ein meeting plus Bush, how he tell de former American President dat he want to see how he can amend de Constitution so dat he can go for a third term. To ein surprise, Bush tell him not to try it. Bush tell him to be patriotic den leave by 29 May 2007."
Economic, social den foreign policies
[edit | edit source]Economic policy
[edit | edit source]With de oil revenue, Obasanjo dey create de Niger Delta Development Commission den implement de Universal Basic Education Program to enhance de literacy level of Nigerians. He constitute both de Independent Corrupt Practices Commission den de Economic den Financial Crimes Commission. Resuscitated de National Fertilizer Company insyd Kaduna den (Onne) Port Harcourt. Obasanjo increase de share of oil royalties den rents to de state of origin from 3 to 13 percent.
Before Obasanjo ein administration, Nigeria ein GDP growth have been painfully slow since 1987, den only manage 3 percent between 1999 den 2000. However, under Obasanjo, de growth rate doubled to 6 percent until he dey leave office, help insyd part by higher oil prices. Nigeria ein foreign reserves rise from $2 billion insyd 1999 to $43 billion on leaving office insyd 2007.
He be able to secure debt pardons from de Paris den London club amounting to some $18 billion den paid anoda $18 billion to be debt free. Most of these loans be accumulated from short-term trade arrears during de exchange control period. (Point of correction). Most of these loans be accumulated not out of corruption but during a period 1982–85 when Nigeria operated exchange control regime dat vested all foreign exchange transactions on de central bank of Nigeria. When Obasanjo took office, Nigeria ein economy was insyd a poor state. Inflation have averaged about 30% a year throughout de 1990s, den by 2001 around 20% of Nigerian adults be unemployed. Poverty be widespread, plus Obasanjo ein government seeking to alleviate dis by paying N3,500 a month to around 200,000 people to conduct routine tasks such as sweeping den mending roads. Dis project be then replaced plus a National Poverty Eradication Programme which focused on generating youth employment, rural infrastructure, den conservation. Insyd 2000, Obasanjo ein government dey double de legal minimum wage.
He invite de International Monetary Fund (IMF) make dem come review Nigeria ein economy plus give advice on how to make am better; dem warn say de government dey overspend. For 2001, Obasanjo talk say he be "believer in market efficiency" den talk say he see de damage wey "public sector mismanagement" cause with ein own eye. But as he dey show commitment to de Washington Consensus of free markets, privatisation, den limited state expenditure, government expenditure as share of GDP rise from 29% for 1997 to 50% for 2001. For January 2000, Nigeria get US$1 billion stand-by loan, wey make de government fit enter debt rescheduling talks plus demma creditors. Obasanjo ein government benefit from de high international oil prices during ein first presidential term. Dem plan say dem go increase Nigeria ein oil output den produce more liquefied natural gas, wey dem first export from de country for 1999.
Obasanjo make serious mind say he go cancel de petrol subsidy, so fuel price go rise reach de commercial level. But de Nigerian Labour Congress call for general strike for June 2000, den Obasanjo end up do compromise — instead of canceling de subsidy totally, he just reduce am small. Dis matter make some people start see Obasanjo like "enemy of de poor" for de public ein mind inside. To cut down de spending more, Obasanjo turn go privatisation, den for July 1999, he form de National Council on Privatisation. By de time he enter office, Nigeria ein federal government get 588 public enterprises wey chop more than 55% of de external debt, den Obasanjo hope say plenty of dem (but not de ones wey dey produce oil) go fit be sold. Privatisation no too sweet de hearts of Nigeria people; only 35% support am, based on one opinion survey wey dem do for 2000. Obasanjo too want make dem cut Nigeria ein debt. He stand firm say de debt big pass wetin dem fit pay den e dey shake de economy plus de democracy. Even though Canada, Italy, den de U.S. cancel some of Nigeria ein debt, e no be plenty, den de main creditors — wey UK be de biggest among dem — no gree cancel de debt.
Obasanjo talk say plenty of Nigeria demma economic problems come from de way corruption don enter everywhere. For 2000, Transparency International rank Nigeria as de most corrupt country for de whole world. Just some days after he enter office, he carry one Anti-Corruption Bill go give de National Assembly, but plenty people vex say de bill go give de government too much power. Dem later reach some compromises wey weaken Obasanjo ein original plans small, but he still sign de new law for June 2000. E no get any clear sign say corruption reduce for Nigeria during Obasanjo ein first term, den ein government no really do anything serious to stop de low-level corruption wey spread for all corner — especially for state den local government levels.
Public health too be one key matter for Nigeria. During de 1990s, Nigeria dey spend only around 0.2% of ein GDP on public health services, wey be de same low percentage like some other countries. Obasanjo ein government push am go over 0.4%. De biggest health wahala wey Nigeria dey face be de HIV/AIDS epidemic, so as Obasanjo enter office, he quickly ask for full report on de situation. After that, he set up one Presidential Committee on AIDS wey he be de chairman, den also form National Action Plan Committee to plan campaign for 2000–03 wey go focus on publicity, training, counselling plus testing to fight de virus. To boost public health in general, he start one new primary care campaign wey take local government money try build clinic for each of Nigeria demma 774 local government areas.
Foreign policy
[edit | edit source]One of Obasanjo demma big tasks wey he succeed inside be to fix Nigeria ein international name wey spoil under Abacha. He spend more than one-quarter of ein first term abroad, as by October 2002, he don travel go 92 countries. For October 1999, Obasanjo start de South African–Nigerian Bi-National Commission make dem fit talk about cooperation between de two countries, wey be de biggest powers for Sub-Saharan Africa. Obasanjo keep Nigeria ein tight relationship plus de U.S., bring U.S. advisers make dem help train de Nigerian military. He get close bond plus U.S. President Bill Clinton, den he also vibe well plus Clinton ein successor George W. Bush; Bush come Abuja for 2000, den Obasanjo go Washington DC for 2006. As he dey chase better relationship plus de U.K. more than how e be for de 1970s, he attend ein first Commonwealth Conference for November 1999 den host am for December 2003, where de British Queen Elizabeth II dash am honorary knighthood.
As he take office, Obasanjo promise say he go pull Nigerian soldiers from Sierra Leone. For August 1999, he announce de plan for demma withdrawal, but dem hold am small make UN peacekeeping force fit gather, wey Nigeria contribute 4000 troops inside. Dis force finally comot for 2005. As gbege start happen for Liberia, Obasanjo send Nigerian troops enter de country for August 2003; two months later dem enter under UN command. Obasanjo give Liberia ein former leader Charles Taylor place stay for Nigeria, but later send am back to Liberia make he face war crimes trial as new Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf request.
As he no want make Nigeria enter wars wey people for house no support, Obasanjo turn down request make Nigerian military no join ECOMOG intervention for de Guinea-Bissau civil war plus de 2002 peacekeeping mission to Côte d'Ivoire. At de UK ein request, he help do mediation between Robert Mugabe ein Zimbabwe government and others over de way dem dey support violent takeover of white people demma farms. Together plus South African President Thabo Mbeki den Australian Prime Minister John Howard, he be part of de team wey de Commonwealth send make dem handle de Zimbabwe matter. Obasanjo den Mbeki go Zimbabwe three times try do quiet diplomacy, but dem no succeed as dem try beg Mugabe make he either step down or join hand rule de country plus de opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
Confronting ethnic den religious tensions
[edit | edit source]Right after Obasanjo win de election, de matter of Islamic sharia law turn big debate for Nigerian politics inside. Since Nigeria get independence, sharia only dey used for civil cases between Muslims for de northern states; e no dey cover criminal cases, wey some Muslims no dey happy about. For September 1999, de Governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani, announce say dem go fully bring sharia come as de base for de state ein criminal law, but he talk say e go apply only to Muslim residents, not de non-Islamic minority. Dis thing worry Christian minorities for northern Nigeria, wey bring plenty protests den counter-protests wey turn violent, especially for Kaduna. All over Nigeria, Christians no dey happy say sharia wan turn state law for criminal matters. De two houses of de National Assembly tell Obasanjo make he carry de issue go Supreme Court, but he no want do am because he no want make de matter turn constitutional palaver. For public, he try separate wetin he call "genuine sharia" from "political sharia", as he praise de first one but talk say de second one be just trend wey go die off. As he no intervene, many people from de south say he no get courage, while some Muslim hardliners for de north laugh am. As plenty Muslims start ask for sharia, four more northern states bring sharia criminal law in 2000, den seven more join for 2001. Obasanjo later talk say dis sharia issue be de biggest challenge wey he face as president.
When Obasanjo come power, he shock say Nigeria dey go through serious unrest plus violence wey don kill thousands of people. De violence get worse as population dey grow fast, cause rapid urbanisation den make people dey fight over small land for village areas. To fight this, Obasanjo double de number of police from 120,000 to 240,000 between 1999 den 2003. But dem no really do anything about police brutality, as torture of suspects still plenty under Obasanjo ein government. Ethnic tensions too add fire to de violence, as different ethnic den regional groups dey ask for more autonomy, make some people start talk say Nigeria go break apart. Obasanjo make am top priority to keep de country together. He no dey quick use military to stop violence unless state governors call am; he believe say “we for use military force only when everything else don fail. That be my principle den philosophy.” For am, forgiveness, amnesty den reconciliation dey more important to bring peace than to just punish people wey do bad. During ein presidency, de level of violence den disorder for Nigeria come down.
One big area where people dey push secession be de Niger Delta, as de indigenous people for there want make dem keep bigger share of de money from de oil wey full dat area. For July 1999, Obasanjo send bill go National Assembly make dem create de Niger Delta Development Commission, wey go make plan plus carry am out to help de region; he hope say this go calm de violence. After plenty talk-talk, dem finally launch de commission for December 2000. For November 1999, he also send two army battalions go Niger Delta to go catch de Asawana Boys, one Ijaw group wey capture plus kill police officers for Odi, Bayelsa State. De military destroy almost de whole town; government talk say 43 people die, but one local NGO talk say 2,483 civilians die. Obasanjo call de destruction “avoidable” den “regrettable” den go visit Odi for March 2001; but he no blame de army, no apologise, no pay compensation, den he no rebuild de town — although de Niger Delta Development Commission later do dat part.
For 2000, Obasanjo ban de Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), one Yoruba nationalist group wey dey attack other ethnic groups, den order make dem arrest de leaders. For September 2001, gbege happen between indigenous Christians den northern Muslim traders for Plateau State, wey lead to about 500 people die before army enter come control de situation. Obasanjo come visit de place den beg make peace reign. For October 2001, some Muslim protesters for Kano kill about 200 Igbo people because Nigeria support de U.S. bombing for Afghanistan. Obasanjo go there to beg for reconciliation but people wey dey there boo am. Still for October, soldiers go calm down tension between Jukun den Tiv people for Benue den Taraba border side; but one Tiv militia capture den kill dem for Zaki-Biam. Obasanjo come order army make dem go there, den dem round up den kill like 250 to 300 local men. For 2002, Obasanjo visit de area den apologise for how de army overdo things.
For January 2002, Obasanjo order make de mobile police scatter de Bakassi Boys, one vigilante group wey dey mostly operate for Abia plus Anambra states, wey people say kill around two thousand people. He no quick act before because de group get plenty support from people as dem dey fight criminals, but he feel say e fit move against dem now as dem popularity don drop. That same month, one ammunition dump for Ijeka barracks near Lagos explode, wey fit kill up to one thousand people. Obasanjo rush go visit. Violence still dey go on for Lagos, so for February 2002, dem send soldiers go restore peace. For April 2002, Obasanjo propose one law wey go give power to ban any ethnic-based group wey dem see say dey promote violence, but de National Executive bounce am say e be too much power for president.
Some public officials like de Speaker of de House of Representatives den de President of de Senate get clashes plus de President, as Obasanjo fight plenty impeachment attempts from both houses. But he survive all de attempts den dem still renominate am.
Post-presidency (2007–present)
[edit | edit source]Politics
[edit | edit source]He become chairman of de PDP Board of Trustees, plus control over nominations for government positions den even policy plus strategy. As one Western diplomat talk, "He wan sit for de passenger seat dey give advice den ready to grab de wheel if Nigeria go off course." He comot by choice as chairman board of trustees of de PDP for April 2012. After dat, he pull himself from political activities plus PDP.
For March 2008, dem talk say Obasanjo get "supposed" indictment from one committee insyd Nigerian parliament for sharing $2.2bn-worth of energy contracts during ein eight-year rule, without following due process. But de report from dis probe no reach full acceptance by de whole Nigerian parliament because de leadership of de power probe committee manipulate de whole process. E no dey any official record say Chief Obasanjo get indictment.
For May 2014, Obasanjo write letter give President Goodluck Jonathan say make dem allow am mediate for de Nigerian government sake top help release de Chibok girls wey Boko Haram militants hold.
On 16 February 2015, he comot from de ruling party den tell one PDP ward leader make he tear ein membership card during one press conference. Later, people start call am de navigator of de new opposition party, APC.
For 24 January 2018, he write letter to President Muhammadu Buhari wey dey serve, point out ein weak sides plus advise am make he no contest for 2019. Up till now, all de letters wey he write give presidents wey dey office don always come before dem downfall.
On 31 January 2018, he launch one political movement wey dem call "Coalition for Nigeria Movement" (CNM) for Abuja. Then on 10 May 2018, dis movement take African Democratic Congress (ADC) as dem political party.
For 20 November 2018, Obasanjo officially announce say he don return insyd de main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during one book launch for My Transition Hours wey former President Goodluck Jonathan write.
Then on 22 January 2022, Obasanjo talk say he don retire from partisan politics after he receive national delegates from Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] for ein house insyd Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Diplomacy
[edit | edit source]Obasanjo get appointment as Special Envoy from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon go de war-torn Democratic Republic of de Congo. He hold separate meetings plus DRC President Joseph Kabila den rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.
During de Zimbabwe election for July 2013, Obasanjo lead African Union team wey come observe de election.
For 2022, Obasanjo help mediate peace talks between Ethiopian government plus Tigray People's Liberation Front under de African Union, wey end up bring ceasefire for de Tigray War on 2 November 2022.
Then for 2025, dem appoint Obasanjo as mediator by de East African Community plus de Southern African Development Community for Democratic Republic of de Congo during de M23 campaign wey still dey go on.
Further education
[edit | edit source]For December 2017, Obasanjo defend ein Ph.D. thesis for theology insyd National Open University of Nigeria.
Political ideology
[edit | edit source]Ideologically, Obasanjo be Nigerian nationalist. He believe strong for Nigerian patriotism plus dey support say Nigeria for remain as one single nation-state, not to break am into ethnic parts. For 2001, he talk say ein long-term goal be "to cancel all forms of identity wey no be Nigerian citizenship." He talk say if dem divide Nigeria based on ethnic lines, e go cause wahala like ethnic cleansing plus violence just like wetin happen during de Yugoslav Wars for de 1990s. Iliffe talk say de way Obasanjo dey reason nationalism come from how he no dey close to de Yoruba elite plus from de time wey he serve for army where he work side by side plus soldiers from different ethnic groups.
Iliffe note say Obasanjo always follow consensus politics as one key principle throughout ein career. As he dey power for de 1970s, Obasanjo criticize "institutionalized opposition" to de government. For ein eye, dat kind opposition no match well plus most African political culture plus practice. Instead of always dey fight de government, he believe say opposition parties for give constructive criticism, plus say politicians for focus on finding agreement instead of always dey compete. He feel say political competition dey bring instability, wey fit spoil tins for developing country like Nigeria, so e better make stability dey protected.
As Obasanjo vex say representative democratic rule no dey work well for Nigeria during de early 1980s, he start support de idea make Nigeria turn one-party state. But he still insist say de one-party state for allow everybody join for governance, respect human rights, plus protect freedom of expression. Later for de 1980s, he talk against de two-party system wey Babangida dey push, as he believe say even though Babangida want centre-left den centre-right parties, e go later turn into one party for Christian south den de other for Muslim north. Obasanjo instead talk say make dem no put limit on how many political parties fit dey, but if dem no fit do dat, then make de country just go one-party. But as Soviet Union collapse for early 1990s den Africa start shift go multi-party politics, Obasanjo come support multi-party system again.
As president, Obasanjo ein work be to make sure say Nigeria dey run well both politically plus economically. Over time for ein political life, Obasanjo shift from believing say government for put hand insyd heavy industry — wey be de common thinking for de 1970s — to supporting market liberalism wey take over for de 1990s. Iliffe believe say throughout ein career, Obasanjo always show "ambivalence" about how much government for involve insyd economy. Generally, he believe say na idleness dey cause poverty. As he dey campaign for de 1999 presidential election, Obasanjo call himself "market-oriented social democrat", but he no really talk clear about ein economic plans. During ein presidency, ein government gather people wey believe in free market, others wey want protectionist policies, den some wey get socialist ideas. Obasanjo no dey respect ideological argument between capitalism plus socialism. Most of de decisions wey he take base more on political sense than on legal or constitutional reasons, and dis one worry some of ein critics. Derfler talk say for ein first term as president, Obasanjo be "cautious reformer".
Personal life
[edit | edit source]As president, Obasanjo ein work be to make sure say Nigeria dey run well both politically plus economically. Over time for ein political life, Obasanjo shift from believing say government for put hand insyd heavy industry — wey be de common thinking for de 1970s — to supporting market liberalism wey take over for de 1990s. Iliffe believe say throughout ein career, Obasanjo always show "ambivalence" about how much government for involve insyd economy. Generally, he believe say na idleness dey cause poverty. As he dey campaign for de 1999 presidential election, Obasanjo call himself "market-oriented social democrat", but he no really talk clear about ein economic plans. During ein presidency, ein government gather people wey believe in free market, others wey want protectionist policies, den some wey get socialist ideas. Obasanjo no dey respect ideological argument between capitalism plus socialism. Most of de decisions wey he take base more on political sense than on legal or constitutional reasons, and dis one worry some of ein critics. Derfler talk say for ein first term as president, Obasanjo be "cautious reformer".
Obasanjo live polygamous lifestyle. He marry ein first wife, Oluremi Akinlawon, for London for 1963; she born ein first pikin, Iyabo, for 1967. Iyabo get tight relationship plus ein poppie. Oluremi no happy say Obasanjo still dey follow other women, den she talk say he beat am. Dem divorce for mid-1970s. For dat same decade, Obasanjo start one common-law relationship plus NTA reporter Gold Oruh wey born two children for am. He marry ein second wife, Stella Abebe, for 1976 after dem meet for London, den dem born three children. Another partner be businesswoman Lynda Soares wey armed robbers kill for 1986. On 23 October 2005, President Obasanjo lose ein wife, Stella Obasanjo, wey be First Lady of Nigeria, after she die for Spain following abdominoplasty. For 2009, de doctor wey dem only call ‘AM’ get one year jail sentence for negligence for Spain den dem order am to pay about $176,000 to her son. Obasanjo no dey talk plenty about ein relationship plus all dis women. Some of ein children vex say he no give dem any special treatment den say he no treat demma mommies well. One of ein sons, Adeboye Obasanjo, be brigadier general for Nigerian Army.
Ethnically, Obasanjo be Yoruba man, and e show for how he dey talk plus de kind cloth wey he dey wear. But he always put ein Nigerian identity above ein Yoruba one, as he dey talk say “I be Nigerian wey happen to be Yoruba, I no be Yoruba man wey happen to be Nigerian.” All through ein life, he prefer rural life pass city life. He no dey drink alcohol at all — he be lifelong teetotaller. People describe am say he get discipline plus strong sense of duty, den he always stress say leadership be important. He dey plan tins well-well, and Iliffe call am “instinctively cautious man.” Obasanjo always talk say e important make you respect senior people, something wey he learn from childhood. Iliffe describe am say he get “great physical plus intellectual energy,” and say he dey use power with skill plus ruthlessness — sometimes without being fair, but hardly ever wicked. Derfler too talk say even though Obasanjo fit act “boorish and dull,” he get “sharp mind” plus e fit be “tough and ruthless.” According to Iliffe, he get “remarkable capacity for work.” He no dey spend money anyhow, he live simple life and secure ein future through property investment. He dey talk gently.
For ein sixties, Obasanjo dey regularly work 18 to 20 hours a day, and he no dey sleep plenty. Every day wey he start, na prayers he dey begin insyd. Obasanjo get diabetes plus high blood pressure. He like dey play squash.
Obasanjo ein writings after dem release am from prison show say he believe strong for Biblical literalism. He call Darwin ein theory of evolution one "debasing, devaluing plus dehumanising" idea. After he comot from prison, he no really dey use traditional culture as moral guide again, instead he dey beg fellow Nigerians make dem reject most parts of demma pre-Christian “way of life.” Iliffe talk say Obasanjo ein born-again Christianity be “strikingly orthodox” and e align well plus Orthodox Pentecostal teaching. He no agree plus de prosperity gospel wey some Pentecostal people dey preach for Nigeria. After he comot prison, he also come dey see divine providence as big part of how he see life.
Plus many other chieftaincy titles, Chief Obasanjo hold de title Olori Omo Ilu of Ibogun-Olaogun. Some other members of ein family too get or don hold chieftaincy titles before.
Reception den legacy
[edit | edit source]John Iliffe describe Obasanjo as “de outstanding member of de second generation of independent African leaders wey dedicate demma self to build up dem postcolonial states.” He believe say Obasanjo get four major achievements as president: he manage small to control de domestic wahala wey dey worry Nigeria, he keep de military under control, he help form de African Union, plus he clear Nigeria ein external debt. For December 1999, ein approval rating be 84%; by 2001 e drop to 72%; den by September 2003 e fall reach 39%.
People accuse Obasanjo of corruption many times throughout ein career, but he always talk say all ein dealings be clean. Some critics believe say after dem imprison am for de 1990s, he begin see himself like messiah, say he lose humility plus come dey believe strong say na God give am mission to rule Nigeria. Critics believe say power don corrupt am, especially during ein second term, as he begin dey move like person wey want hold power forever. During ein first time as head of state, some Yoruba people vex say he no do enough to push demma ethnic group matter for government.
After dem imprison am, Obasanjo talk say any criticism just dey confirm “de rightness of my cause” plus e show say ein critics get “depravity insyd dis fallen plus perverted world.”
Books by Obasanjo
[edit | edit source]- My Watch Volume 1: Early Life and Military
- My Watch Volume 2: Political and Public Affairs
- My Watch Volume 3: Now and Then
- My Command
- Nzeogwu
- The Animal Called Man
- A New Dawn
- De Thabo Mbeki I know
- Africa Through the Eyes of A Patriot
- Making Africa Work: A handbook
- Forging a Compact in U.S. African Relations: The Fifth David M. Abshire Endowed Lecture, 15 December 1987
- Africa in Perspective
- Letters to Change the World: From Pankhurst to Orwell
- Not my Will
- Democracy Works: Re-Wiring Politics to Africa's Advantage
- My Watch
- Challenges of Leadership in Africa
- War Wounds: Development Costs of Conflict in Southern Sudan
- Guides to Effective Prayer
- De Challenges of Agricultural Production and Food Security in Africa
- Addressing Africa's Youth Employment and Food Security Crisis: The Role of African Agriculture in Job Creation
- Dust Suspended: A memoir of Colonial, Overseas and Diplomatic Service Life 1953 to 1986
- L'Afrique en Marche: un manuel pour la reussite économique
- Africa ein Critical Choices: A Call for a Pan-African Roadmap
Awards den Honours
[edit | edit source]- 1981–87, Member, UNESCO Commission for Peace in the Minds of Men
- 1983–89 Member, Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security (the Olaf Palme Commission)
- 1983, Member WHO Committee of experts on the Effects of Nuclear Weapon
- 1986, Co-Chairman, Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group on South Africa
- 1986, Member, United Nations Panel on Eminent Person on the relationship between Disarmament and Development
- 1987–93, Director, Better World Society, Washington D.C.
- 1988–89, Founder and Chairman, African Leadership Forum and Chairman, Board of Directors, African Leadership Foundation Inc. New York
- 1988 (May), Chairman, Hearing on Namibia, the World Council of Churches, Washington D.C
- 1988–99, Special Adviser to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan
- 1989, Honorary Member, Committee on the United Nations Population Award
- 1989, Member, Independent Group on Financial Development for Developing Countries (the Schmidt Commission)
- 1989 Member, Advisory Council, Parliamentarian Global Action
- 1989–99, Chairman, Advisory Council, Transparency International (TI)
- 1990, Member, Advisory Council, the Institute for Global Ethics
- Member, Board of Trustees, African American institute
- 1991–93, Publisher, African Forum Quarterly
- 1991, Member, Eminent Persons Council, International Negotiations Network, the Carter Centre of Emory University, Atlanta
- 1991, Member, Council of Advisers, The World Food Prize, Des Moines, Iowa
- 1992, Member, Advisory Group on United Nations Financing (Ford Foundation)
- 1993–95, Member, United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Panel on Africa
- 1994 – Official Observer of the Elections in Mozambique at the invitation of the Government of Mozambique
- 1994–99 Member, Advisory Council, Carnegies Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflicts
- 1995–99, UNDP Human Development Ambassador
- Proprietor and chief Promoter, Bells University of Technology, Ota.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Obasanjo's story, Aremu set to hit the stage". 13 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ↑ "Statement by Obasanjo to the United Nations" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Olusegun Obasanjo | president of Nigeria | Britannica". www.britannica.com (in English). Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ↑ Adegbite, Charles Segun (16 December 2017). "At 80years, Obasanjo bags Ph.D in Theology". Successful People's World (in English). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ "Nigeria needs more 'rebels', says Obasanjo". Punch Newspapers (in American English). 19 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ↑ "Olusegun Obasanjo | Biography, Age, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com (in English). 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
Sources
[edit | edit source]- Adeolu, Adebayo (2017). Olusegun Obasanjo: Nigeria's Most Successful Ruler. Ibadan: Safari Books.
- Adinoyi Ojo, Onukaba (1997). In the Eyes of Time. Africana Legacy. ISBN 978-1575790749.
- Derfler, Leslie (2011). The Fall and Rise of Political Leaders: Olof Palme, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Indira Gandhi. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1349290512.
- Iliffe, John (2011). Obasanjo, Nigeria and the World. Boydell & Brewer. ISBN 9781847010278. JSTOR 10.7722/j.ctt81pgm. OCLC 796383923.
External links
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