Nigerian Press Slams Obasanjo.

[ofilis]

Nigerian papers round on president


President Obasanjo's decision sparked a press storm
The press in Nigeria has plenty of harsh words for President Olusegun Obasanjo following his decision to declare a state of emergency in the central state of Plateau in a bid to stem communal clashes there.

Several commentators condemn the move as unconstitutional and undemocratic, suggesting it was prompted by Mr Obasanjo's "hunger for power". They call on him to repeal the decision and urge a thorough investigation of the rioting.

Fears are also voiced that the move could damage the country's image abroad.


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The declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau State is not only baseless and unconstitutional, it is also ill-timed and undemocratic ... because there is currently no actual break down of law and order in Plateau State.

Commentary by Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Aborishade in Guardian


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The emperor's gloves and mask are off, exposing a hideous and grotesquely power-drunk creature.

Commentary by Okey Ndibe in Guardian


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The president must stop his intemperate outbursts ... He must be made to realise that we are operating a democracy under which our constitution, imperfect as it is, guarantees certain freedoms, including the right to freedom of assembly and association and freedom of expression.

Commentary by Funke Aboyade in This Day


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It is clear that Mr Obasanjo's anti-democratic credentials are solid. When a man becomes too big for his own good, Americans would describe him as a self-created man in love with his creator. President Olusegun Obasanjo is such a man

Commentary by Okey Ndibe in Guardian


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We believe that for a country struggling to divulge itself from the yoke of military rule and its attendant vices, the government ought to exercise extra caution in imposing emergency rule, features of which are akin to those of a full-blown military dictatorship ... To avoid the abhorrent consequences of re-enacting bad history, it is time for all arms of government ... to lift the state of emergency and revert to the status quo ante.

Editorial in Guardian


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If the president is truly a nationalist and patriot as he claims, then he should end the reign of appeasement and impunity. He should inaugurate a new era of the rule of law. It should be clear to all that Nigeria intends to take its secularity seriously in at least one sense: no-one should be killed in the name of religion.

Commentary by Sam Amadi in Daily Independent


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Obasanjo should be worried. He has to realise that any riot that takes place is capable of eroding whatever goodwill his administration has garnered. The situation calls for proper investigation and thorough punishment for the perpetrators of these atrocities, under the cover of religion.

Commentary by Obienyem Valentine in Vanguard


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Those who expect President Obasanjo to shade his grumpy fashions are expecting the near impossible. It will not happen. In fact, as he approaches the final stretch of his home run, it will get worse.

Commentary by Okey Ifionu in This Day


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These bloodbaths are ... not good for the nation's image. They send wrong signals of insecurity across the world, which among other negative effects, keep investors and tourists away.

Editorial in Daily Champion


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BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.

[1naija]

It is clear that Mr Obasanjo's anti-democratic credentials are solid. When a man becomes too big for his own good, Americans would describe him as a self-created man in love with his creator. President Olusegun Obasanjo is such a man

Commentary by Okey Ndibe in Guardian

Huh? Never heard such phrase.

[chopeski]

I pray and hope the really informed folks don’t take this lying down. There are lots of sycophants around and it is time to stand up to dictatorship in whatever form or shape it rears its head in.

I find it quite strange that AD is the only party that has openly opposed this terrible decision and I hope the party can reposition itself as a progressive party of sorts aligning itself with people of similar mood across the country. So much for all the noise made by CNPP or whatever they call themselves.

We must fight this buffoon otherwise known as OBJ!

[Talk IT]

The thing is OBJ is abusing power. The provision in the constitution (which i believe he smuggled in), that allows him to suspend an elected government was made for a situation like a mini civil war and complete breakdown of law and order which the police and army assistance cannot stop. There is nothing like that in Plateau. The crises only took place a very small part of the state and it has since calmed down yet the whole state is suspended. Stationing some batch of army officers there for months could have detered troublemakers.
Just as the same way coup plotters abuse the provision for a coup in the constitution so obj is doing.

[ola34]

The effetcs of a one-party state is manifesting. Do you think he would have done it in an AD or ANPP state? Of course not.