25th February, 2011
A socio-political pressure group, Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups, COSEG, says that the recent political jibe at Yoruba leaders by President Goodluck Jonathan was hinged on how ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo presented his kinsmen to him.
The group, in a statement signed by its President and General Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Rasaq Oloko-Oba respectively, stated that: “President Goodluck Jonathan echoed what Obasanjo whispered into his ears.
COSEG said it would be out of place for Jonathan to refer to Yoruba leaders and elders as rascals in the presence of Obasanjo†if he has not been dragging the reputation of our leaders in the mud in the presence of Jonathan.
The group, however, expressed satisfaction in the way the Southwest governors who were described as rascals are turning around the fortunes of their people. “If a governor like Fashola, who has been adjudged world-wide as a born performer is a rascal, then we need more rascals like him in the country to turn it around.
COSEG was of the conviction that an elderly person like Obasanjo was expected to mentor the younger ones like Jonathan to mind their language when referring to another race. “Such flamatory utterances that can set the country ablaze are not expected of a person who aspires to rule a great country like Nigeria,” he added.