Nigerian social media personality and commentator Isaac Fayose has weighed in on the Rivers State controversy, pointing fingers at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the country’s democratic woes.
In a video posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, March 19, Fayose claimed that Obasanjo laid the foundation for the problems plaguing Nigeria’s democracy today, including election rigging, ballot box snatching, and godfatherism.
“All the bad things happening in our democratic system today were started by Obasanjo. Obasanjo derailed this democracy. That is why you can see rigging of elections, snatching of ballot boxes and Godfatherism now, because it all started from his tenure.”
Fayose referenced the impeachment of former Oyo State governor Rashidi Ladoja by Baba Adedibu, alleging that Obasanjo empowered Adedibu to remove Ladoja from office. He also cited the example of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, who was removed from office and had his state declared under emergency rule during Obasanjo’s tenure.
“Do you remember Baba Adedibu from Oyo State, Obasanjo empowered him to remove Ladoja. In Ekiti State, Obasanjo impeached Fayose and declared the state a state of emergency.” the public commentator added.
According to Fayose, Obasanjo’s actions have had far-reaching consequences, and he warned the former president about the repercussions of his actions at the time.
“All the baby’s this in our democracy can be traced back to Obasanjo. ‘na hin footstep others they follow.’
“We warned you at the time, stating the repercussions, we complained then about your actions, now others are following suit.”
He stated that the blame should be directed at the former president, not the current one.
“Don’t blame President Tinubu for this state of emergency, blame Baba Obasanjo, the first civilian president that bastardised our democracy. I am happy that he is alive seeing all his actions and how much turmoil he has caused,” he said.
Fayose’s video has sparked mixed reactions from netizens, with some commending him for speaking the truth and others calling him out for his claims.
Reactions trail Isaac Fayose’s video
Here are some reactions below,
@edoseedmuzik commented: “YOUR SENSE NO GO EVER FINISH SENIOR MAN #seeders.”
@chukyobinna commented: “My man…you’re too much** Isaac na my younger brother name** very fearless & stubborn he is got same traits & characteristics like you sir! Very honest & rugged.”
@officialbigben commented: “Now you are talking.”
@djmannie01 commented: “Fubara forget his duties as governor he keep on fighting Wike instead of facing how to develop River state he even demolished state house of assembly who does that.”
@segedodo commented: “It is not Obj; obj did 1999 democracy why hasn’t our democracy evolved? A child born in 1999 is now 26yrs.. We ought to have learned from our mistakes..”
@vinco888 commented: “Two yoruba presidents doing all this àbí.”
@iamdgov commented: “Thank you very much…I always say this but people just laugh …we are running on obj’s template…. That man had the chance to reshape and restructure Nigeria after many years of military rule but instead he acted like an emperor.”
@jamotunbaca commented: “@isaacfayoseoriginal ObJ removed your egbon Governor, Fayose Heaven did not fall.”
@iam_churchi commented: “Tinubu can’t throw a democratic elected governor through the back door, we urge Nigerians to rise and question wike and tinubu for the break out of law and order, this is nt democracy our fathers fought to get, president can’t promise wike godfather payback because he supported him to win regg election, if this is lawless fight of personal gain is against Nigerians, then the leaders instigating this violence most step outside.”
@duzzette commented: “But he bring leaders wey get human sympathy!”
@y.s.ku.b.u commented: “He is the jenesis of everything.”
@akuba Charles commented: “He damaged the whole of Nigeria.”
@olahmi80 wrote: “I remembered, when Obasanjo removed Ayodele Fayose in Ekiti, he now put Olurin…. Obasanjo started it.”
@ayodeji_atte wrote: “Obj was just lucky not to have active social media through his tenure.”
