Social Justice-Nigeria - Something happens to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo each time he travels abroad, he speaks in ways that cut an image of the Obasanjo that Nigerians never know, though he was a military Head of State for three years and a civilian President for eight years. His cumulative 11 years at the helm, is the longest anyone has ruled Nigeria and it constitutes 22 per cent of Nigeria's life as an independent country. In Geneva last week, Obasanjo berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, on their fight against corruption. He was a member of an International Labour Organisation, ILO, panel that discussed issues to mark the centenary of the ILO.

"I haven't seen the persistence and consistency in Nigeria because the people involved in corruption are strongly entrenched," he said of anti-corruption campaigns in Nigeria since he left office. Corruption was strongly entrenched before he left office. He may have a point if he argues that it has worsened.

However, Obasanjo's definition of corruption was incomprehensible and his application of the law was selective. Was he unaware of scams at the Nigerian Ports Authority for which one of his henchmen Chief Olabode George was jailed when Obasanjo left office? From the evidence in court, the crimes were committed while Obasanjo was in office.

"A leader who is only thinking about the next election, there is a limit to what you can expect from him. A leader should think beyond election, he should think about the next generation," Obasanjo continued his pontification, which would leave many people wondering what he is up to this time. "I believe there are a few leaders in Africa two or three; in Europe one or two, in Asia may be two or three but I will not name anyone so that I will not cause diplomatic row."

When he was in office was self-succession not uppermost on Obasanjo's mind? Has he forgotten the resources he invested in the failed attempt to amend the Constitution? Was the aim not to allow Obasanjo to continue in office? Obasanjo would be modest enough to count himself among "two or three" leaders in Africa.

"In Nigeria, if you say we are growing, how much has it affected jobs, how many children have gone to school, how does it affect maternal mortality? It is only when we have this that I can say we are growing economically and there is social justice," he said.

The same questions were asked when he used growth figures to counter arguments that his government of eight years laid solid foundations for the poverty that is ravaging Nigerians. What did he do with the unprecedented oil revenue in the eight years he was in charge? Did growth then affect infant mortality? What did growth in his days do for maternal mortality and school attendance? Was there justice, social justice, when he was president?

Former Ghanaian president, John Kuffour made a strong case for good leadership. He rated it more important than fighting corruption. "We must empower the judiciary but fighting corruption is not alternative to good leadership and good governance."

African leaders keep maltreating their people, but when they follow the examples and counsel of the likes of Obasanjo, there is no surprise over the results we are getting.

Vanguard/23/06/2011