Femi Adesina in a piece at the back page of Sun Newspaper of 10^th August, 2012, commented on the strange union of a rather odd couple, Obasanjo and Babangida. These two former leaders recently expressed strong concern about the persistent crises in Nigeria since Jonathan assumed office as President. They are worried that the Unity they fought to preserve is cracking dangerously and in their arrogant manner they insisted that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.

Due to the antecedent of these arrogant despots, we should take their concern with a pinch of salt. Between the two of them, they ruled Nigeria for 22 years, it was during their reign that corruption was entrenched in the polity. Disregard for court orders and infringement on the human rights of Nigeria was rampant, plus lots of unresolved high class assassinations in the country. It was during the era of Babangida that a free election  held in the country, acclaimed all over the world was cancelled for no justifiable reason and the winner of the election thrown into prison died in the process. That was also when the re-knowned journalist Dele Giwa was bombed to his death in his office, Babangida also frettered away 12 Billion Dollars oil money on a vain war, refusing till today to account for it.  Obasanjo on his own part destroyed two towns in Nigeria, Odi in Bayelsa and Zakibian in Benue state. He saw himself as an all-conquering emperor with disdain for the constitution. He believed the constitution was relevant and should be tolerated only when its suits him.

These people are the ones that planted the bad seeds that have germinated and grown into Boko Haram. Nigeria as a nation has always buried its head in the sand, while things get rotten, a Nation that does not want to tell itself the truth. Injustice and wickedness is about the best ingredient to bring down any nation in the world. Examples abound, USSR and YUGOSLAVIA. Babangida and Obasanjo’s own sense of unity are out dated and their offer to fight again to preserve the unity of Nigeria should be laughed off. Nigerians are wiser now. When they had the chance to rework Nigeria they did not. They must understand that the only thing that is non-negotiable in the world is the word of God.

Uzoma writes from Nigeria.