As
a little boy, I always wonder why the old adage "Silence means
consent" was looked at in such a way to mean affirmation. As
time went by, I was able to rationalize that the ability to say
"Yes or No" is integrity in itself especially when it is done as
and when
due, not coerced.
I am indeed troubled by the continuous stance of our president (Obasanjo)
given this subject matter. Could it be that silence means consent
concerning the third term proposal? Or is it that a once acclaimed
characteristic of his person (Integrity) has been eroded? I am
between and betwixt in this regard.
In the year preceding 1999 when campaigns for him was on, I remember vividly how I managed to convince people to vote for him, on the grounds that he appeared more "diplomatic" compared to "Olu Falae" and how I feared the country going into brinks if Falae should win, since I perceived him as a had nut and might not be acceptable in total and thereby ruining the had fought democracy just won. The military I feared might be imminent with Falae as President.
It is appalling how the mighty choose to fall. A one-time aspirant to the office of the secretary-General of the United Nations, a member of the eminent persons group, lacking the integrity to own up to his deeds? Who are his advisers? How credible are they? Is Obasanjo going to follow the proverbial "A fly without an adviser going into the grave with the morgue"? I weep for him.
One use to think that Obasanjo
is intelligent and clever enough to know that democracy is the
government by the people; a government in which the supreme
power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or
indirectly through a system of representation usually involving
periodically held free elections.
What does a supposed intelligentsia thinks the reaction of people would be when any public opinion by any member of the populace disguised or undisguised, opposing his tenets, beliefs and aspirations meets with the brute force of what my late brother called "Zombies". Is this democracy?
Obasanjo should have known that walking all the way to the top is not as difficult as trying to remain on top. Silence is golden they say but in this case of third term, silence as I perceive is self conviction of guilt and consent to it.
Obasanjo! Why allow your entire struggle come to crumble like a pack of cards? Honor your name and do not pay Nigerians back with evil.
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