Kashamu Lunches Book On Jonathan, Rubbishes Obasanjo’s Autobiography

Chairman, Organisation and mobilisation committee of the People’s Democratic Party in South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has presented a book to counter the autobiography written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mr. Obasanjo, in his three volume autobiography titled “My watch”, came down hard on President Goodluck Jonathan and his style of leadership.

In his own book entitled “no enemies to fight, Goodluck Jonathan on the marble” which contained Jonathan’s quotable quotes since 2011 till May 1, 2013 was yesterday, presented to the public at Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu-North local government area of Ogun State.

The 171 page book was jointly edited by a Special adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas and Akpodigha Filatei, with twelve chapters and was published in 2013.

It would be recalled that Kashamu had obtained an injunction from the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on December 7, restraining Obasanjo from launching his book, but the former President on December 9 went ahead to launch the book.

The judge, who again ruled that the book “My Watch” be confiscated, also gave Mr. Obasanjo 21 days to provide sufficient reason why he should not be ‘punished’ for contempt of court. The former president has since appealed the decision.

Mr. Kashamu did not want the book circulated because of certain revelations contained in it, which he considered damaging to his reputation. Excerpts from the highly controversial autobiography showed that Obasanjo insisted on his claim that the PDP chieftain is an indicted drug-baron and a fugitive from the law in the United States of America.

The presentation of the book was done in the presence of some leaders of the party in the South West which include, South West Secretary of the party, Pegba Otemolu, Ogun State Chairman, Bayo Dayo and members of Omo-Ilu foundation from Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Lagos state.

Kashamu while peaking at the presentation of his book, which attracted PDP big wigs in the South-West including Secretary of the party in the zone, Pegba Otemolu; Ogun State PDP Chairman, Bayo Dayo and members of Omo-Ilu foundation from Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Lagos states, said the motive and timing of “My Watch” are suspicious, pointing out that Obasanjo aimed at rubbishing the achievements of President Jonathan.

According to him, Nigerians and the sophisticated people of the south west are not deceived. They can see through the smokescreen of the ex-president’s book and take informed decisions.

“On a personal note, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said he wrote in his book that it leaves much to be desired for the PDP and the President to associate with somebody that has been indicted in the United States.

“I say it again that it is not in his place to say such. It is deceitful and hypocritical for him to be blowing hot and cold at the same time.

“It was under his administration in 2000/2001 that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency represented the federal government and testified in the name case in London that I do not have any association with drug trafficking.

“I was tried in the United Kingdom on the basis of the same allegation by the United States, discharged and acquitted when the British court found that it was a case of mistaken identity.

“Contrary to their evil wish, I will not forfeit my right under the law and play to the gallery in order to please my political opponents. If the Nigerian and Beninoise governments were adequately represented in the case, what then is the hullabaloo about?

“When I was working with Chief Obasanjo and using me to further his political interest, I was a good person. He did not see anything wrong with a former president, self-acclaimed leader of the party and the then chairman of the Board of Trustees hobnobbing with an ‘indicted person’. He calls me anytime he wants. Now that I am performing my patriotic duty of supporting the government produced by my party, contrary to his wish, all hell is let loose”.