In a manner akin to hypocrisy taken too far, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has for the umpteenth time knocked President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of wasteful spending and mismanagement of the country’s economy in the last six years.
While receiving the South West Women Leaders Monday in his home in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Obasanjo explained that he left in government’s coffer, the sum of $25 billion oil revenue, while, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, left the sum of $35 billion
Obasanjo added that his administration and that of the late Yar’adua generated into the country’s foreign reserve account, $40 billion and $60 billion respectively.
While accusing President Jonathan of mismanaging over $25billion crude oil savings he left, he similarly scolded him for recording a dwindling foreign reserve, which he regretted has declined to $40 billion.
Besides mismanaging the economy, the former president further attacked Jonathan’s administration for promoting corruption and failure to confront insecurity challenges in the country.
He lamented that he would not be deterred by many bashes he has been receiving, due to his differences with President Jonathan, as he maintained the issues involved were not personal, rather, about the interest of the country.
Former President Obasanjo who also blamed the travails of the country on bad leadership, insisted he understood very well the point he was driving at; ready to defend them and work for every process that would earn glory for Nigeria, as well as assured that he nursed no fear about the success of February general elections.
He stressed that if the country must move forward, the overhauling must begin from the top.
On elections proper, Obasanjo said: “Good governance comes from voting, from selection of leaders” adding that the ultimate choice was left to Nigerians to decide who they cast their votes in next month’s election..
His words: “It is now left to you to decide whom you will cast your vote for because if you throw away your votes and tomorrow you are saying good governance, once you throw away your votes you have lost out. That is one. Find out the track records of achievements of those you want to vote for. What have they achieved in the past…”
The women who were led by Chief Mrs Alaba Lawson, described Obasanjo as a significant factor in every political calculation in the country.
“You are the voice everybody is waiting to hear his response on any topical issues in the public domain. We believe we are in the right place to discuss with you some knotty issues bleeding our hearts as we have seen you as a beacon of hope and lights for the nation.” Said Mrs Lawson.
