Why Should God Not Punish Obasanjo?

By Oji Odu

For repenting from having an unforgiving spirit, why should God not punish former President Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo? For forgiving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of his wrong doing, why should God not punish Obasanjo? For coming to his senses and realising that no man holds the other’s destiny and letting go all grievances, why should God not punish Obasanjo?

Why are people so eager for the God of Obasanjo to punish him for repenting from his ignoramus disposition? Why are they not happy that the prodigal son has turned from his evil ways unto good?

Which God are they referring to here? Is it Jehovah the God of the Christians or Allah the God of the Muslims? Is it Amadioha, Sango et cetera, those of the traditionalists?

The curse, revelation or prayer by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole the God will punish Obasanjo for endorsing Atiku has continued to raise dust in the polity. He said this will happen  when President Muhammadu Buhari defeats them at the 2019 presidential election.

Speaking to newsmen after receiving APC women leaders from Edo State who paid him a solidarity visit in his office in Aso drive, in Abuja, Oshiomhole who expressed shock at Obasanjo’s turn around to forgive and endorse Atiku as People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the 2019 presidential election reminded Obasanjo that he had earlier sworn that God should punish him if he ever supported his former deputy, Atiku, to become the president.

What is Oshimhole’s problem? Is rubbishing Obasanjo the best way of scoring political points to retain President Muhammadu Buhari after the 2019 presidential election? Why expose the deep fears of the ruling APC on the Atiku challenge?

Has Oshiomhole done so well as APC National Chairman, and has the APC also done well as a party wanting re-election? If so, why should Oshiomhole degrade both himself and the ruling party be engaging in such cheap rambling? Is this the thing Nigerians want to hear at this time, instead of strong ideas to redeem lost image?

In a chat with Goddy Egesimba, a political analyst on the issue, he said: “ Do you blame Osiomhole? What he said shows how low we can go. It shows that both he and his people have run out of ideas on how to navigate Nigeria out of the further mess the current government has plunged the country into.

“ Take a look at the crowd he made the statement to. Were they not women? Nigerian women are more intelligent than that. He wanted to play on their emotions, especially spiritual. It will not work. What about the more crisis he has plunged the APC and degrading the governors? Should God not punish him?,” he asked.

For Unyio James, a civil servant, the former Edo State governor is a rabble rouser. “ Does he think that everybody is like him with a cunning, hard and unforgiving spirit? Oshiomhole should know that it took only the Spirit of God at work for Obasanjo to forgive Atiku. This is what we need in this country now, not people or zones being punished for the sins of the dead fathers, which further stagnated development of this great country,” she stated.

Tunji Adewale, a student expressed disappointment on Oshiomhole’s curse of prayer. “Man is a religious animal, and I believe Oshiomhole is. But I don’t know which sect he belongs to.

“ The God/gods of every religion-Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religion etc preach love, peace, unity, forgiveness, although people have through their interpretations distorted these virtues for selfish gains. From Oshiomhole’s action, I believe he is one of these people. Nigeria needs and deserves more than this. The country needs what will move us forward, not into deeper crisis,” he said.

It’s countdown to the February 2019 election. Will God punish Obasanjo? Time will tell.