Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Pardon Me Sir, But Aren’t You a Dictator? Ghanaian Journalist Asks ‘Democrat’ Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusegun Obasanjo
By SaharaReporters, New York
At the preliminary press briefing of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the outcome of Ghana’s 2012 at the Best Western Hotel in Accra on Saturday, a local journalist forced former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo, the ECOWAS Head of Mission, to re-examine his credentials as a democrat.
The occasion was the Question and Answer segment that followed the presentation of the preliminary report presentation of the Commission by the Deputy Head of Mission.
As one of the Commission's recommendations curiously calls for a media framework to curtail the “excesses” of the media in election reporting, the first time such a recommendation has found its way into an official ECOWAS document, a journalist in the gallery sought clarification on the proposed the media framework, in a question addressed to “General” Obasanjo.
The immediacy of the attack was not lost on Obasanjo, who promptly tackled the reference, in the process exposing himself as the author of the anti-freedom of information recommendation.
"My friend, I don't know why you address me as General Obasanjo,” the two-time Nigeria leader said.
“In Nigeria where I am the former president, it is my political opponents that address me as “General” Obasanjo when they want to show me as a dictator. My party call me Chief Obasanjo. It now depends on which side you belong".
The exchange threw the whole room into uncontrollable laughter before Obasanjo turned to the request for him to expatiate on his media framework proposal which is regarded among journalists and other election observers as reactionary and repressive.
Obasanjo said he believes there used a law to "curtail the excesses" of the Ghanaian media in the reportage of election process, and tried to distinguish between "right of information" as opposed to "freedom of information" in journalism and access to information.
In Ghana, Obasanjo’s assessment and position contradicts the popular verdict of independent, local and international observers of the election. It is believed that the proactive, efficient, timely, accurate and popular reportage of developments at polling units and transmission of verified results for public consumption is the missing recipe for transparent, popular, free and fair election in many African countries, including Nigeria.
In this regard, Ghana has over 1500 FM radio stations, community radios inclusive. Correspondents and reporters have been in polling units across the country, transmitting certified results live to their stations.
It is believed that the positive influence of such media participation does not meet with Obasanjo’s approval, as he is known to cherish secrecy in the election process that can be manipulated at the last minute as has been widely-done in his Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria.
In 2006, Obasanjo single-handedly chose his party’s presidential ticket, and superintended a rigged election that brought Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan to power.
Comments
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@eyeman
Submitted by Afen Idagu (not verified) on February 25, 2013 - 12:51.
You know that Deri has no brain to reason that is why he is mixing up issues. What has Buhari got to do with election monitoring in Ghana? Your observation was spot on.
It is very disappointing sending obasanjo to Ghana 4 Election
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 15, 2012 - 02:05.
How can you appoint a thief to pursue another thief? If you do so, the end result must always be negative. Tom, Dick and Harry even the unborn can not forgive obasanjo for his atrocities but one day he shall face trial by the supreme where he has no room for dictatorship or bribery.
@ keku
Submitted by sly (not verified) on December 10, 2012 - 17:56.
Why are u chasing shadows? The jornalist on
ly ask a very good question . Don't abuse him
@Deri
Submitted by eyesman (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 22:31.
Mr. Goodluck DERI, you are so fixated on Buhari that you see him ass the issue in every posting. Haba!
The issue here was about the questionable criteria that picks a General Obasanjo as election observer in an nation as Ghana.
How did Buhari show up in this? Your vain writting and attack on Buhari says a lot about you, may be you don't know.
OBJ, You are now less relevant to Nigeria's political process
Submitted by Noah from Ephesus (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 18:49.
OBJ, go home. You are a dictator. Remember your 2007 'do and die' election. What have you gone to do in democratic Ghana when you cannot allow free and fair choice in Nigeria. OBJ, stop pretending that you are still relevant in Nigeria's political process. You have overstayed your usefulness. OBJ, stop pretending that you are a king maker in who goes to Aso Rock in 2015. After all, you OBJ, cannot even win your ward in Ota, Ogun state, in any election. OBJ, go home and rest. Nothing renews age. Leave the younger ones room to maneuver Nigeria out of its problems.
Nigeria will rise again....
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 16:08.
Nigeria will rise again....
Point of correction; he was not only a dictator
Submitted by tundemash (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 15:36.
Point of correction; he was not only a dictator, he was also an embezzler, a rogue, an election rigger and guilty of incest.
I Dey Laugh oo!
Submitted by Udam Ochiaghandigbo (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 14:42.
It amazes me why Obasanjo is always being asked by the international body to observe electoral proccesses in other countries when he himself is not only a dictator, but also a brutal murderer of the citizens of Odi in Bayelsa state. He imposed the late Mr. Yaradua, and has a big hand in Jonathan's ascendency to the presidency. Who can ever forget his quest to amend the constitution to allow him to run for a third term president, and, his infamous statement that election is a "do or die" affair. So, it amazes me how this despot thoroughly decieves the international community to put him in a position of electoral observer, knowing fully well that one does not change ones views in old age. That brings me to "I dey laughoo."
we did not hear politicians call on their supporters to lynch
Submitted by deri (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 12:03.
Happily for the one sided gist in favor of the opposition, the incumbent in Ghana who is from the North, is not out with the type of Islamic jihadist groups like the one under the control of Buhari in the North. Added to the fact that he did not launch himself into politics to raise the flag of his ethnic fulani group. Also, their politicians did not question the free education project introduced by Nkrumah. In our case we have jihadist, sadist, tribal bodies with their regional backers hire religious sect groups to hang, throw bombs into churches to kill youth corpers, run people aground while planting fear into the souls of the masses on election day with their lynch mentality-called boko haram power for buhari!
Obasanjo is not a dictator
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 12:03.
We, Nigerians, understand politics and the game or role of media as a tool of politics or politicians. That every reporter, newspapers, or any other media in the world will be biased by their pollitical orientation.
Chief Obasanjo is cleared in his understanding that the questionaire is biased by his question and belong to the opposition of his ideology and belief.
The reporter should ask better questions next time that will not align to opposition.
Obasanjo
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 11:43.
Obasanjo has always been dictatorial
Even as a president under Nigeria democracy.
He beleives in rigging elections and
Abdicating the powers responsibilities of the
Electorates.
OBJ's warning
Submitted by gerd meuer (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 10:53.
and OBJ did NOT fall asleep during those elections?
that's very bad !
Prof-of-penkele-somnifères
May he thought he was in Aso
Submitted by Sp34k-Out (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 10:24.
May he thought he was in Aso Rock with his brown envelop journalist arranged by Femi Kayode and Doyin Okupe.
In Nigeria, Charity Begins Abroad!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 09:57.
Since our leaders refuse to behave well at home, they will be taught from outside.
Ibori got his lesson in the UK and now OBJ is being taught what freedom of speech & democracy are in Ghana.
This gives validity to the saying that, a wayward child will, indeed, be taught outside!
Ghanains Must Watchmen Out
Submitted by Dodo Maiyaki (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 09:35.
Général Obasajo should be watched. In Ghana's previous elections, the world hailed them as some of the best. The likes of Obasanjo were not in involved in those elections. Now that hé Is, care must be taken to avoid the malaise (barbaric and uncivilized snatching of ballot boxes practiced in Nigeria ) whille the federal police looks on helplessly.
The Latest one carried out by the government officials in Benue State of Nigeria calls for concern. An official van was used to carry snatched ballot boxes- an exercise coordinated by à government official. If all are allowed to go unpunished, and the likes of Obasajo continue to influence élections in Africa, we should forget about Democracy; for Nigeria's case Is and remains à bad example for all times. And its former leader, Obasanjo, the least to oversee elections.
The idiot(journalist) just
Submitted by Keku (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 09:20.
The idiot(journalist) just looking for cheap popularity.
naija style
Submitted by sultanofsokoto (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 07:44.
Baba leave the dirty laundry at home now!
Obasanjo is a shameless old
Submitted by Wole Oshodi (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 07:15.
Obasanjo is a shameless old man and will be disgraced before his death.
SR, who told you obasanjo
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 06:41.
SR, who told you obasanjo rigged Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan to power? I tot this story would make sense but you always cloud your written stories with biased journalism. Please don't take side, you should be neutral in all your reporting and leave the people to judge for themselves.
Live Baba OBJ alone:
Submitted by Olatunde (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 05:28.
I don't know what is u guyz problem with Obasanjo,if u like fly from Ghana to London,OBJ still remain Baba of Africa till God call him.
DEMOCRAT OR DICTATOR
Submitted by Gentleman (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 05:25.
General, Mr President, Former President or Chief does not change the way and manner of ur governance. May God give Nigeria God-fearing democrat
O:B:J.i trust him.he will
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 05:21.
O:B:J.i trust him.he will always find a way out
UN made the greatest mistake
Submitted by Anonymous oases jones (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 05:12.
The UN under Banki-Moon is the worst thing that has bedeviled the world. Obsanjo is the greatest worst dictator Nigeria ever had. The duo will create credibly crisis in the Ghanian current elections. President Obama, who is the greatest leader so far on earth MUST save us from the calamties of these two must corrupt and most undemocratic, anti-freedom, anti-gender equality, pro- ethno-religious, pro-corruption ambassadors of evil, hypocracy, manipulative kleptocracy dictators of the 21st Centuary. Bastards running crime and criminality in our global village, forcing their ignorance, damaged brains on the good people of the world. Nonsense sons of the bitch. Promoters of doom. Messengers of death and destructors of Africa.
I don't understand
Submitted by Toldyou (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 04:50.
Nigeria is totally conflicted when it comes to OBJ. When complain about his abuse of power and excesses and still he is our face in international scenes. Despite the blunder of the past and the present leader he hoisted on us, he is back at his game again.
I don't understand
Submitted by Toldyou (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 04:50.
Nigeria is totally conflicted when it comes to OBJ. When complain about his abuse of power and excesses and still he is our face in international scenes. Despite the blunder of the past and the present leader he hoisted on us, he is back at his game again.
MONITOR OBJ
Submitted by Edi Ajeman (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 03:38.
Who take dog go church drive am comot e-go bite pastor ohoo! Obj go teach them "IWU formula " of election result releases (the more you look the more confused you be)
you have destroyed nigeria
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 02:57.
you have destroyed nigeria and you want to go to ghana and destroy their country for them? this man is crazy woo!!! better go and enjoy your loot in ota and wait for the angel of death! mumu
Obasanjo! Obasanjo!!
Submitted by Truthnodeydie (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 02:35.
The leopard cannot change it's skin.Nigerians just endure for awhile the smoke will soon disappear.
Pardon Me Sir, But Aren’t You a Dictator?
Submitted by Nzeone1 (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 02:06.
Pardon me Sir,Once a "General" always a "General"
GOD HAS EXPOSED THE OTTA GORRILLA IN GHANA!
Submitted by Bassey (not verified) on December 9, 2012 - 01:49.
God you're always great! You have made Obasanjo to once again show the world who he is - A DICTATOR/ ELECTION RESULT MANIPULATOR OF HIS DO-OR-DIE POLOTICS.
He has destroyed Nigeria totally. I don't know why The A U should be sending him to do such jobs.
Few months ago, in SENEGAL he was told to his face, by a young Senegalese that he had no business being in their country to supervise their presidential election. The young man identified him as Master in Election Rigging.
OBJ pls do yourself and family good and return to Owu and enjoy your loot and wait for judgement day. Stop disgracing yourself everywhere.
