DISCUSSING News Point Nigeria‘s story, titled: ‘If I Had Wanted Third Term, Nobody Can Stop Me – Obasanjo’, published on Friday, January 13th, TVC’s popular journalists’ talk show; Journalists’ Hangout led by ace TV journalist, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju has stated that the former President’s claim that he never wanted the Third Term in office as nothing but the height of revisionism.
On the show, journalist Paul Dada in his reaction to the story said he is sure the former President did not believe what he was saying asking how he could be saying something to the contrary despite evidence that shows it was all his handiwork.
He described his attitude as that of a man who is grandstanding adding that no Nigerian believes the statement credited to Olusegun Obasanjo.
He added that, he is surprised at the statement wondering how someone who did so much damage all under the guise of politics, removing governors with a handful of legislators against constitutional provisions and using the so called State of Emergency.
He summed up the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo as one that was filled with illegalities and further described the man himself as a larger than life president who should not be out saying what he is saying.
He then described the former president as someone who should bury his head in shame for all the acts of dictatorship, illegalities and constitutional breaches he committed while in office.
On his part, Journalist Emeka Madunagwu, quoting a paragraph from this medium’s website, said he is disappointed with the statement credited to the former President, who he said should at his age be coming to terms with his misdeeds and his failed legacies.
He described him as a man with laudable ideas who however lost himself on the altar or lust for power.
He also listed the example of former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, who has failed to apologise for the decision to annul the June 12 1993 Presidential Election as another example of those who have been in leadership positions failing to accept responsibility for their misdeeds and failures.
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju in his reaction to the statement via a video from a different location, said, he is ashamed on behalf of the former President.
He advised the former President against trying to rewrite history or trying to give his own version of history describing it as unacceptable.
He said the things that happened during the period are out in the open and he should stop his revisionism adding that he reported on some of these issues.
He said the statement the former President made was a confirmation of his contempt for the Nigerian people, slamming the former President who he said, could not even convince his party men to support his second term ambition without prostrating for a man much younger than him.
“Obasanjo doesn’t need these lies. Its an established fact that Obasanjo wanted Third Term and he failed. Simple.”, he stated.
Below is the link to the quoted story:
https://newspointnigeria.com.ng.ng/if-i-had-wanted-third-term-nobody-can-stop-me-obasanjo/