COALITION AGAINST CORRUPT LEADERS LEAD MARCH AGAINST OBJ

Friday, November 16, 2007

The Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), a group of young Nigerians, took to the streets of Lagos today with calls for the prosecution of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

CACOL's members marched to the Ikoyi offices of the EFCC and submitted a petition that alleged that OBJ stole money from the nation's coffers and should be arrested and prosecuted. The petition provided apparent evidence of OBJ's unjust enrichment by pointing to the creation of his privately owned library, a privately owned educational institution, Bells University of Technology, and the former general's Temperance Farm at Ota. CACOL is also calling for an investigation into the management of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. They elaborated that,

“The Ad hoc Committee on the operation of the PTDF gave a verdict in February 2007, indicting the former President of gross financial mismanagement and corruption.

“The chairman of the panel, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), said that the former President issued public funds for the prosecution of his third term bid and supervised the diversion of public funds which were illegally deposited in banks”

The petition and protest were closely followed by the EFCC announcement that it is ready to investigate and prosecute OBJ for any unjust enrichment.

I am happy to see that young Nigerians are exercising their democratic right to protest and to call for accountability. I can only hope that Ribadu will actually follow through with a thorough investigation into the allegations. In a way, I feel sorry for Obasanjo, because I can admit that he did some very good things for Nigeria, particularly for the economy. Nigeria will probably benefit from some of the right choices he made during his administration. Unfortunately, he destroyed his own legacy by not alienating himself from the calls for a third term, interfering in the 'election' of Yardy as President and aligning himself with dubious characters like Kalu and Adedibu (who was finally arrested and might actually face justice for his un-god fatherly activity in Ibadan!).

Congratulations to CACOL and others that are willing to defend the rights of Nigeria. They, for better or worse, are Patriots!

And what is all this about Iyabo Obasanjo being a two time convict in the United States?

6 Curiosities. Add Yours.:

Moody Crab said...

Ah finally! Now, things are gonna get interesting. Ribadu, the ball is in your court and we are waiting...

guerreiranigeriana said...

yes, kudos to cacol indeed!...

Jinta said...

The march to freedom is long and tedious; the path covered in blood and sweat. Well done Cacol. We'll get there.

Kiibaati said...

Are those guys really serious or just fronting for the photo oppurtunity? Am curious.

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

@ Kiibati: Well, the truth is we will never know, will we? But, they seemed serious enough that Ribadu's deputy eventually received them and their 'cause' was covered by local press and media.

I am excited about what their effort represents - the ability for average Nigerians to publicly make demands on officials. I concur with Moody Crab, "things are gonna get interesting."

shhhh said...

OBJ should be investigated and brought to justice....u live by the sword...........

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