Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo: Media assault must stop, now

New York, January 17, 2006—Following the uproar generated when privileged Nigerian youths exercise their freedom of expression, latest being Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo’s legitimate interview with New York based freelance reporter Comrade Sowore Omoyele, Africans In America, Inc. wish to state as follows:

Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo, though is the son of the President of Nigeria, nevertheless, is still entitled to unrestricted exercise of fundamental human right – freedom of expression.

Any attempt to gag, restrict, coerce and intimidate him in any, shape or form; or, to deny him the enjoyment and exercise of this fundamental human right by anybody must not be allowed.

Based of news media reports, we have observed that this young Nigerian’s right to express himself is under attack from both sides.

We observed that the Nigerian presidency was quick to disassociate and disown him while the opposition labeled and actually abused him as " rude and uncultured" and "trading words with elders".

Disassociating oneself from Dr. Obasanjo, denouncing him, casting undue aspersions on him, dismissing his opinions and contributions because of his age, cajoling or labeling him uncultured simply because he raised important questions on corruption in high places is unstatesman-like, cowardly, intimidating, abusive, inhumane, criminal and undemocratic; and these must stop, immediately.

The numerous media attacks, disassociating and disowning, unstatesman-like names calling, cajoling commentaries on a young man who simply exercised his right to informed opinion on pressing national issues has no place in the new social order, transparency and democracy.

Dr. Obasanjo spoke for the youths when he expressed his opinion on the sham and shambles the nation has been thrown into. Nigeria needs listening and royal leaders, indeed; including leadership that listens to the youths.

The young man raised quite a number of issues, which relevant authorities must explore, and address for the betterment of the polity.

Dr. Obasanjo showed better character than some politicians and statesmen who would first deny ever speaking to any reporter, only to somersault at later time to own up.

Most importantly, for admitting granting the interview (or the informal conversation, as some people will like to conveniently call the interview) despite pressure from various quarters, Africans In America, Inc. congratulates Dr. Obasanjo for his character, courage, forthright and patriotism.

We want to reiterate and recap our press release on January 10, 2006:

“We want to believe that Nigeria at the moment is conducting a test-run on the impending and imminent war on corruption. When the actual war begins, there must not be a sacred cow and it must not be one-sided”.

“Reality check indicates that all facts notwithstanding; any leader including Obasanjo who requests for opportunity to serve, majority of Nigerians may be willing to grant such request (including 3rd term extension) if the leader will genuinely listen and be royal to the masses. Nigeria, like other African countries want leaders that; listens (to Nigeria), royal (to Nigeria), recover all loots (to Nigeria treasury), wage total and comprehensive war on corruption (no sacred cow), use the oil-wealth to develop all corners of the country irrespective of tribe and the leaders must be result-oriented”.