By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA – The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Thursday, descended heavily on former President Olusegun Obasanjo accusing him of presiding over the most rogue regime ever in the country, where the nation’s treasury was blatantly looted, with reckless withdrawal of funds from the treasury without appropriation.
The CNPP in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, while reacting to Chief Obasanjo’s remarks, describing State Houses of Assembly and National Assembly members as rogues and armed robbers, vowed that former President will never escape his atrocities committed against Nigerians.
The CNPP however said it is not holding brief for either the National Assembly, the State Assemblies or the Judiciary; but now that Chief Obasanjo has cast the first stone, we challenge him to render account of his rogue regime.
According to the parties, “we challenge Chief Obasanjo to explain why all the probes and audit of his regime by the National Assembly, ranging from power to privatization probes found him culpable? Or can it be said that he is antagonizing the National Assembly for the probes? Or for stopping his 3rd Term inordinate ambition?
“Chief Obasanjo blatantly, looted the treasury of the nation, withdrew billions from the treasury without appropriation, corrupted the privatization process, serially obstructed justice, which made CNPP to file a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC} on 24 December 2007, when his immunity exited.
“Regrettably, it has become the trade mark of Chief Obasanjo to paint Nigeria black each time he is out of power, a deceptive strategy he designed long time ago to curry the favour and recognition of the international community.
“Chief Obasanjo should not think that he will escape or that his corruption case has been closed, as will continue challenge him, until our stolen patrimony is recovered.
“A regime that harvested unprecedented oil revenue without commensurate project performance, a regime that bastardized our democracy and a regime which simulated the fault lines hence Boko Haram and other insurgences.
“Those who live in glass house, the saying goes should not throw stones, for we recall with pain how Chief Obasanjo, who came out of prison as poor as a church rat; paradoxically has become one of the richest Africans after eight years of looting in power.
“We recall with trepidation, how late Chief Gani Fawehnmi went to Federal High Court challenging the billions of Naira which Chief Obasanjo extorted from government contractors to build his presidential library contrary to Code of Conduct and ICPC Acts. He pleaded immunity and when immunity exited he resorted to manipulation of the judiciary.
“We bemoan the theatre of absurd the office of the president of our dear country became, as the can of worms was opened during the altercation between him and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the then vice president.
“Chief Obasanjo’s corrupt practices are monumental and legendary. The stench of corruption which oozed out from the presidency, when he was in power was one of the factors which made Chief Obasanjo to lose the MO Ibrahim annual award for good governance when he left office in 2007….
“We cannot forget in a hurry how Chief Obasanjo doctored the 2002 Electoral Act, declared the 2007 election as Do-or-Die election and other uncountable breaches, which debased the integrity of the electoral process and produced 2003 and 2007 sham elections.
“It can be said factually that Chief Obasanjo’s manipulation and subversion of the electoral process, denied Nigerians the right to elect people of their choice, hence entry of rogues into the legislature.
