President Jonathan Replies Obasanjo.....

His Excellency,

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR

Agbe L’Oba House, Quarry Road,

Ibara, Abeokuta

RE: Before It Is Too Late

I wish to formally acknowledge your letter dated December 2, 2013 
and other previous correspondence similar to it.

You will recall that all the letters were brought to me by hand. 
Although both of us discussed some of the issues in those letters, I
 had not, before now, seen the need for any formal reply since, to me, 
they contained advice from a former President to a serving President. 
Obviously, you felt differently because in your last letter, you complained 
about my not acknowledging or replying your previous letters

It is with the greatest possible reluctance that I now write this reply. 
I am most uneasy about embarking on this unprecedented and 
unconventional form of open communication between me and 
a former leader of our country because I know that there are 
more acceptable and dignified means of doing so

But I feel obliged to reply your letter for a number of 
reasons: one, you formally requested for a reply and 
not sending you one will be interpreted as ignoring a 
former President

Secondly, Nigerians know the role you have played 
in my political life and given the unfortunate tone of your letter,
 clearly, the grapes have gone sour.  Therefore, my side of 
the story also needs to be told

The third reason why I must reply you in writing is that your letter
 is clearly a threat to national security as it may deliberately or 
inadvertently set the stage for subversion.

The fourth reason for this reply is that you raised very weighty i
ssues, and since the letter has been made public, Nigerians are
 expressing legitimate concerns. A response from me therefore,
 becomes very necessary

The fifth reason is that this letter may appear in biographies and 
other books which political commentators on Nigeria’s contemporary 
politics may write. It is only proper for such publications to include my 
comments on the issues raised in your letter

Sixthly, you are very unique in terms of the governance of 
this country. You were a military Head of State for three years and 
eight months, and an elected President for eight years. That means 
you have been the Head of Government of Nigeria for about twelve 
years. This must have, presumably, exposed you to a lot of information. 
Thus when you make a statement, there is the tendency for
 people to take it seriously

The seventh reason is that the timing of your letter coincided 
with other vicious releases. The Speaker of the House of Representatives
 spoke of my “body language” encouraging corruption. A letter written to
 me by the CBN Governor alleging that NNPC, within a period of 19 
months did not remit the sum of USD49.8 billion to the federation account,
 was also deliberately leaked to the public

The eighth reason is that it appears that your letter was designed
 to incite Nigerians from other geopolitical zones against me and
 also calculated to promote ethnic disharmony. Worse still, your letter
 was designed to instigate members of our Party, the PDP, against 
me.

The ninth reason is that your letter conveys to me the feeling
 that landmines have been laid for me. Therefore, Nigerians
 need to have my response to the issues raised before 
the mines explode

The tenth and final reason why my reply is inevitable is that you
 have written similar letters and made public comments in reference 
to all former Presidents and Heads of Government starting from Alhaji
 Shehu Shagari and these have instigated different actions and reactions.
 The purpose and direction of your letter is distinctly ominous, and before
 it is too late, my clarifications on the issues need to be placed on
 record

Let me now comment on the issues you raised. In commenting 
I wish to crave your indulgence to compare what is happening 
now to what took place before.  This, I believe, will enable 
Nigerians see things in better perspective because we must 
know where we are coming from so as to appreciate where we now are,
 and to allow us clearly map out where we are going

You raised concerns about the security situation in the country. 
I assure you that I am fully aware of the responsibility of government 
for ensuring the security of the lives and property of citizens. My
 Administration is working assiduously to overcome current 
national security challenges, the seeds of which were sown
 under previous administrations.  There have been some setbacks; 
but certainly there have also been great successes in our efforts 
to overcome terrorism and insurgency

Those who continue to down-play our successes in this regard,
 amongst whom you must now be numbered, appear to have conveniently 
forgotten the depths to which security in our country had plunged
 before now.

At a stage, almost the entire North-East of Nigeria was under 
siege by insurgents. Bombings of churches and public buildings 
in the North and the federal capital became an almost weekly 
occurrence. Our entire national security apparatus seemed nonplussed 
and unable to come to grips with the new threat posed by the berthing of
 terrorism on our shores

But my administration has since brought that very unacceptable 
situation under significant control. We have overhauled our entire 
national security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, 
training, funding, logistical support to our armed forces and security
 agencies, and security collaboration with friendly countries with
 very visible and positive results

The scope and impact of terrorist operations have been significantly
 reduced and efforts are underway to restore full normalcy to the
 most affected North Eastern region and initiate a post-crisis 
development agenda, including a special intervention programme to 
boost the region’s socio-economic progress

In doing all this, we have kept our doors open for dialogue with the
 insurgents and their supporters through efforts such as the work 
of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and the Peaceful Resolution 
of the Security Challenges in the North-East. You also know that the 
Governor of Borno State provided the items you mentioned to me as carrots. 
Having done all this and more, it is interesting that you still accuse me of not 
acting on your hardly original recommendation that the carrot and 
stick option be deployed to solve the Boko Haram problem......
.

Your suggestion that we are pursuing a “war against violence 
without understanding the root causes of the violence and applying 
solutions to deal with all the underlying factors” is definitely misplaced 
because from the onset of this administration, we have been 
implementing a multifaceted strategy against militancy, insurgency and 
terrorism that includes poverty alleviation, economic development, 
education and social reforms

Even though basic education is the constitutional responsibility 
of States, my administration has, as part of its efforts to address 
ignorance and poor education which have been identified as
 two of the factors responsible for making some of our youth easily 
available for use as cannon fodder by insurgents and terrorists, 
committed huge funds to the provision of modern basic education
 schools for the Almajiri in several Northern States. The Federal 
Government under my leadership has also set up nine additional 
universities in the Northern States and three in the Southern States 
in keeping with my belief that proper education is the surest way of 
emancipating and empowering our people

More uncharitable persons may even see a touch of sanctimoniousness 
in your new belief in the carrot and stick approach to overcoming
 militancy and insurgency. You have always referred to how you
 hit Odi in Bayelsa State to curb militancy in the Niger Delta.  If the 
invasion of Odi by the Army was the stick, I did not see the corresponding
 carrot.  I was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then, and as 
 have always told you, the invasion of Odi did not solve any militancy
 problem but, to some extent, escalated it. If it had solved it, late
 President Yar’Adua would not have had to come up with the 
amnesty program. And while some elements of the problem 
may still be there, in general, the situation is reasonably better

In terms of general insecurity in the country and particularly the 

crisis in the Niger Delta, 2007 was one of the worst periods
 in our history. You will recall three incidents that happened in 
2007 which seemed to have been orchestrated to achieve sinister
 objectives.  Here in Abuja, a petrol tanker loaded with explosives 
was to be rammed into the INEC building. But luckily for the country, 
an electric pole stopped the tanker from hitting the INEC building. 
 It is clear that this incident was meant to exploit the general sense 
of insecurity in the nation at the time to achieve the aim of stopping 
the 2007 elections.  It is instructive that you, on a number of occasions,
 alluded to this fact

When that incident failed, an armed group invaded Yenagoa 
one evening with the intent to assassinate me.  Luckily for me, 
they could not.  They again attacked and bombed my country 
home on a night when I was expected in the village. Fortunately, 
as God would have it, I did not make the trip..

I recall that immediately after both incidents, I got calls 
expressing the concern of Abuja.  But Baba, you know 
that despite the apparent concern of Abuja, no single arrest was ever
 made. I was then the Governor of Bayelsa State and the PDP
 Vice-Presidential candidate. The security people ordinarily should 
have unraveled the assassination attempt on me. ...

You also raised the issues of kidnapping, piracy and armed robbery. 
These are issues all Nigerians, including me are very concerned 
about. While we will continue to do our utmost best to reduce all 
forms of criminality to the barest minimum in our country, it is just as
 well to remind you that the first major case of kidnapping for ransom
 took place around 2006. And the Boko Haram crisis dates back 
to 2002. Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of the country 
then. Also, armed robbery started in this country immediately after 
the civil war and since then, it has been a problem to all succeeding 
governments.  For a former Head of Government, who should know 
better, to present these problems as if they were creations 
of the Jonathan Administration is most uncharitable.  ..

Having said that, let me remind you of some of the things we have 
done to curb violent crime in the country. We have reorganized the
 Nigerian Police Force and appointed a more dynamic leadership to 
oversee its affairs. We have also improved its manpower levels as 
well as funding, training and logistical support

We have also increased the surveillance capabilities of the Police and
 provided its air-wing with thrice the number of helicopters it had before 
the inception of the present administration. The National Civil Defence
 and Security Corps has been armed to make it a much more effective 
ally of the police and other security agencies in the war against 
violent crime. At both domestic and international levels, we 
are doing everything possible to curb the proliferation of the 
small arms and light weapons with which armed robberies, 
kidnappings and piracy are perpetrated. We have also 
enhanced security at our borders to curb cross-border
 crimes

 We are aggressively addressing the challenge of crude oil theft
 in collaboration with the state Governors. In addition, the Federal 
Government has engaged the British and US governments for 
their support in the tracking of the proceeds from the purchase 
of stolen crude. Similarly, a regional Gulf of Guinea security strategy
 has been initiated to curb crude oil theft and piracy

Perhaps the most invidious accusation in your letter is the allegation
 that I have placed over one thousand Nigerians on a political watch
 list, and that I am training snipers and other militia to assassinate 
people. Baba, I don’t know where you got that from but you do me 
grave injustice in not only lending credence to such baseless 
rumours, but also publicizing it. You mentioned God seventeen 
times in your letter. Can you as a Christian hold the Bible and say that 
you truly believe this allegation?

The allegation of training snipers to assassinate political 
opponents is particularly incomprehensible to me. Since I 
started my political career as a Deputy Governor, I have never
 been associated with any form of political violence. I have been 
a President for over three years now, with a lot of challenges 
and opposition mainly from the high and mighty. There have certainly 
been cases of political assassination since the advent of our Fourth 
Republic, but as you well know, none of them occurred under
 my leadership

Regarding the over one thousand people you say are on a 
political watch list, I urge you to kindly tell Nigerians who they are
 and what agencies of government are “watching” them. Your allegation 
that I am using security operatives to harass people is also baseless. 
Nigerians are waiting for your evidence of proof. That was an accusation
 made against previous administrations, including yours, but it is 
certainly not my style and will never be. Again, if you insist on the 
spurious claim that some of your relatives and friends are being 
harassed, I urge you to name them and tell Nigerians what 
agencies of my administration are harassing them.

I also find it difficult to believe that you will accuse me of 
assisting murderers, or assigning a presidential delegation 
to welcome a murderer. This is a most unconscionable and 
untrue allegation. It is incumbent on me to remind you that I am
 fully conscious of the dictates of my responsibilities to God and our 
dear nation. It is my hope that devious elements will not take
 advantage of your baseless allegation to engage in brazen and 
wanton assassination of high profile politicians as before, hiding
 under the alibi your “open letter” has provided for them

Nevertheless, I have directed the security agencies and 
requested the National Human Rights Commission to carry
 out a thorough investigation of these criminal allegations 
and make their findings public

That corruption is an issue in Nigeria is indisputable.  It 
has been with us for many years. You will recall that your kinsman, 
the renowned afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti famously 
sang about it during your first stint as Head of State. Sonny Okosun 
also sang about corruption. And as you may recall, a number of Army 
Generals were to be retired because of corruption before the Dimka
 coup.  Also, the late General Murtala Mohammed himself wanted to 
retire some top people in his cabinet on corruption-related issues
 before he was assassinated.  Even in this Fourth Republic,
 the Siemens and Halliburton scandals are well known....

The seed of corruption in this country was planted a long time ago,
 but we are doing all that we can to drastically reduce its debilitating 
effects on national development and progress. I have been 
strengthening the institutions established to fight corruption. I 
will not shield any government official or private individual involved 
in corruption, but I must follow due process in all that I do. And whenever
 clear cases of corruption or fraud have been established, my 
administration has always taken prompt action in keeping with the
 dictates of extant laws and procedures. You cannot claim to be unaware 
of the fact that several highly placed persons in our country, 
including sons of some of our party leaders are currently 
facing trial for their involvement in the celebrated subsidy scam affair. 
I can hardly be blamed if the wheels of justice still grind very slowly
 in our country, but we are doing our best to support and encourage 
the judiciary to quicken the pace of adjudication in cases of 
corruption

Baba, I am amazed that with all the knowledge garnered from 
your many years at the highest level of governance in our
country, you could still believe the spurious allegation contained in a 
letter written to me by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
 (CBN), and surreptitiously obtained by you, alleging that USD49.8 
billion, a sum equal to our entire national budget for two years, is 
“unaccounted for” by the NNPC. Since, as President, you also 
served for many years as Minister of Petroleum Resources, you 
very well know the workings of the corporation. It is therefore 
intriguing that you have made such an assertion. You made a lot
 of insinuations about oil theft, shady dealings at the NNPC and the 
NNPC not remitting the full proceeds of oil sales to the of CBN. 
Now that the main source of the allegations which you rehashed
 has publicly stated that he was “misconstrued”, perhaps you will 
find it in your heart to apologize for misleading unwary Nigerians 
and impugning the integrity of my administration on that score...

Your claim of “Atlantic Oil loading about 130, 000 barrels sold by
 Shell and managed on behalf of NPDC with no sale proceeds
 paid into the NPDC account” is also disjointed and baseless 
because no such arrangement as you described exists between 
Atlantic Oil and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company. 
NPDC currently produces about 138, 000 barrels of oil per day from 
over 7 producing assets. The Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) 
of the NNPC markets all of this production on behalf of NPDC with
 proceeds paid into NPDC account

I am really shocked that with all avenues open to you as a former 
Head of State for the verification of any information you have
 received about state affairs, you chose to go public with allegations
 of “high corruption” without offering a shred of supporting
 evidence. One of your political “sons” similarly alleged recently 
that he told me of a minister who received a bribe of $250 Million 
from an oil company and I did nothing about it. He may have 
been playing from a shared script, but we have not heard from him 
again since he was challenged to name the minister involved
 and provide the evidence   to back his claim.  I urge you, in the same
 vein, to furnish me with the names, facts and figures of a single 
verifiable case of the “high corruption” which you say 
stinks all around my administration and see whether the corrective
 action you advocate does not follow promptly. And while you are at
 it, you may also wish to tell Nigerians the true story of questionable
 waivers of signature bonuses between 2000 
and 2007

While, by the Grace of God Almighty, I am the first President 
from a minority group, I am never unmindful of the fact that I 
was elected leader of the whole of Nigeria and I have always acted 
in the best interest of all Nigerians. You referred to the 
divisive actions and inflammatory utterances of some individuals 
from the South-South and asserted that I have done nothing to 
call them to order or distance myself from their ethnic chauvinism. 
Again that is very untrue. I am as committed to the unity of this country 
as any patriot can be and I have publicly declared on many occasions
 that no person who threatens other Nigerians or parts of the country is
 acting on my behalf.

It is very regrettable that in your letter, you seem to place sole r
esponsibility for the ongoing intrigues and tensions in the PDP at 
my doorstep, and going on from that position, you direct all your appeals 
for a resolution at me. Baba, let us all be truthful to ourselves, God and 
posterity. At the heart of all the current troubles in our party and the larger 
polity is the unbridled jostling and positioning for personal or group advantage
 ahead of the 2015 general elections. The “bitterness, anger, mistrust, 
fear and deep suspicion” you wrote about all flow from this singular
 factor

It is indeed very unfortunate that the seeming crisis in the party 
was instigated by a few senior members of the party, including
 you. But, as leader of the party, I will continue to do my best to 
unite it so that we can move forward with strength and unity of 
purpose. The PDP has always recovered from previous crises with 
renewed vigour and vitality. I am very optimistic that that will be 
the case again this time. The PDP will overcome any temporary 
setback, remain a strong party and even grow
 stronger

Instigating people to cause problems and disaffection within 
the party is something that you are certainly familiar with. You 
will recall that founding fathers of the Party were frustrated out 
of the Party at a time.  Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was pushed out, 
Late Chief Solomon Lar left and later came back, Chief Audu Ogbeh 
and Chief Tom Ikimi also left. Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo left and later 
came back. In 2005/2006, link-men were sent to take over party structures
from PDP Governors in an unveiled attempt to undermine the state governors.
 In spite of that, the Governors did not leave the Party because nobody 
instigated and encouraged them to do so

The charge that I was involved in anti-party activities in governorship 
elections in Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Anambra States is also very
 unfortunate. I relate with all Governors irrespective of political party 
affiliation but I have not worked against the interest of the PDP.  What
 I have not done is to influence the electoral process to favour our 
Party. You were definitely never so inclined, since you openly 
boasted in your letter of how you supported Alhaji Shehu 
Shagari against Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe 
and others in the 1979 presidential elections while serving as a 
military Head of State. You and I clearly differ in this regard, because 
as the President of Nigeria, I believe it is my duty and responsibility 
to create a level playing field for all parties and all candidates

Recalling how the PDP lost in states where we were very strong 
in 2003 and 2007 such as Edo, Ondo, Imo, Bauchi, Anambra, and 
Borno, longstanding members of our great party with good memory
 will also consider the charge of anti-party activities you 
made against me as misdirected and hugely hypocritical. It certainly 
was not Goodluck Jonathan’s “personal ambition or selfish 
interest” that caused the PDP to lose the governorship of 
Ogun State and all its senatorial seats in the last general 
elections

You quoted me as saying that I have not told anybody that I will
 seek another term in office in 2015. You and your ambitious 
acolytes within the party have clearly decided to act on your conclusion
 that “only a fool will believe that statement” and embark on a virulent 
campaign to harass me out of an undeclared candidature for the 
2015 presidential elections so as to pave the way for a 
successor anointed by you

You will recall that you serially advised me that we should refrain 
from discussing the 2015 general elections for now so as not to 
distract elected public officials from urgent task of governance. 
While you have apparently moved away from that position, I am still 
of the considered opinion that it would have been best for us to do all 
that is necessary to refrain from heating up the polity at this time. 
Accordingly, I have already informed Nigerians that I will only speak
 on whether or not I will seek a second term when it is time for such 
declarations. Your claims about discussions I had with you, Governor 
Gabriel Suswam and others are wrong, but in keeping with my 
declared stance, I will reserve further comments until the appropriate 
time...OKIES,WE UNDERSTAND,LOL

Your allegation that I asked half a dozen African Presidents to speak 
to you about my alleged ambition for 2015, is also untrue.  I have never
 requested any African President to discuss with you on my behalf.  
In our discussion, I mentioned to you that four Presidents told 
me that they were concerned about the political situation in Nigeria 
and intended to talk to you about it.  So far, only three of them have 
confirmed to me that they have had any discussion with you. If I made 
such a request, why would I deny it?.

The issue of Buruji Kashamu is one of those lies that should not be 
associated with a former President.  The allegation that I am imposing 
Kashamu on the South-West is most unfortunate and regrettable.  I do 
not even impose Party officials in my home state of Bayelsa and there 
is no zone in this country where I have imposed officials.  So why would
 I do so in the South West?  Baba, in the light of Buruji’s detailed public 
response to your “open letter”, it will be charitable for you to render an
 apology to Nigerians and I

On the issue of investors being scared to come to Nigeria, 
economic dormancy, and stagnation, I will just refer you to FDI 
statistics from 2000 to 2013. Within the last three years, Nigeria 
has emerged as the preferred destination for investments in Africa,
 driven by successful government policies to attract foreign investors. 
For the second year running, the United Nations Conference on Trade 
and Investments (UNCTAD) has ranked Nigeria as the number 
one destination for investments in Africa, and as having the fourth
 highest returns in the world

Today, Nigeria is holding 18 percent of all foreign investments 
in Africa and 60 percent of all foreign investments in the ECOWAS
 Sub-Region. Kindly note also that in the seven years between 
2000 and 2007 when you were President, Nigeria attracted a 
total of $24.9 Billion in FDI.  As a result of our efforts which you 
disparage, the country has seen an FDI inflow of $25.7 Billion in
 just three years which is more than double the FDI that has gone to 
the second highest African destination. We have also maintained 
an annual national economic growth rate of close to seven per cent 
since the inception of this administration. What then, is the 
justification for your allegation of scared investors and economic 
dormancy?

Although it was not emphasized in your letter of December 2, 2013, 
you also conveyed, in previous correspondence, the impression that 
you were ignorant of the very notable achievements of my 
administration in the area of foreign relations. It is on record that 
under my leadership, Nigeria has played a key role in resolving 
the conflicts in Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea Bissau and others.

The unproductive rivalry that existed between Nigeria and 
some ECOWAS countries has also been ended under my watch 
and Nigeria now has better relations with all the ECOWAS countries. 
 At the African Union, we now have a Commissioner at the AU Commission
 after being without one for so long. We were in the United Nations 
Security Council for the 2010/2011 Session and we have been voted
 in again for the 2014/2015 Session. From independence to 2010, we 
were in the U.N. Security Council only three times but from 2010 to 
2015, we will be there two times.

    

This did not happen by chance.  My Administration worked hard for 
it and we continue to maintain the best possible relations with all
 centres of global political and economic power. I find it hard therefore, 
to believe your assertions of untoward concern in the international 
community over the state of governance in Nigeria.
.

With respect to the Brass and Olokola LNG projects, you may 
have forgotten that though you started these projects, Final Investment 
Decisions were never reached.  For your information, NNPC has not
 withdrawn from either the Olokola or the Brass LNG projects.

On the Rivers State Water Project, you were misled by your informant.
 The Federal Government under my watch has never directed or 
instructed the Africa Development Bank to put on hold any project 
to be executed in Rivers state or any other State within the Federation. 
The Rivers Water Project was not originally in the borrowing plan
 but it was included in April 2013 and appraised in May. Negotiations 
are ongoing with the AfDB.  I have no doubt that you are familiar with
 the entire process that prefaces the signing of a Subsidiary Loan 
Agreement as in this instance

 Let me assure you and all Nigerians that I do not engage in
 negative political actions and will never, as President, oppress the 
people of a State or deprive them of much needed public services as a 
result of political disagreement

  

I have noted your comments on the proposed National Conference. 
Contrary to the insinuation in your letter, the proposed conference is 
aimed at bringing Nigerians together to resolve contentious national 
issues in a formal setting. This is a sure way of promoting greater 
national consensus and unity, and not a recipe for “disunity, confusion 
and chaos” as you alleged in your letter

Having twice held the high office of President, Commander-In-Chief
 of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I trust that you 
will understand that I cannot possibly find the time to offer a line-by-line 
response to all the accusations and allegations made in your letter while 
dealing with other pressing demands of office and more urgent
 affairs of state

I have tried, however, to respond to only the most serious of the charges 
which question my sincerity, personal honour, and commitment to the oath 
which I have sworn, to always uphold and protect the interests of all 
Nigerians, and promote their well-being.

In closing, let me state that you have done me grave injustice with 
your public letter in which you wrongfully accused me of deceit, 
deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness
 and insincerity, amongst other ills

I have not, myself, ever claimed to be all-knowing or infallible, 
but I have never taken Nigeria or Nigerians for granted as you
 implied, and I will continue to do my utmost to steer our ship of
 state towards the brighter future to which we all aspire

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and warm
 regards

GOODLUCK  EBELE JONATHAN