How Buhari Elevated ‘A Total Idiot’ Ridiculed By Obasanjo – Adesina

Presidential aide, Femi Adesina, has attempted to correct allegations of religious persecution levelled against the administration of President Muhammadu in some quarters.

But in doing this, Adesina used former President Olusegun Obasanjo to showcase a bad example of “a father of the country” whom he said publicly disgraced a religious leader and denigrated the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) because the cleric asked him an “offensive” question.

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The presidential aide, in an opinion piece on Friday, praised Buhari for honouring former CAN President, Rev Yakubu Pam, years after Obasanjo allegedly called him “a total idiot”.

Adesina recalled how in 20o4, Rev Pam and some stakeholders met with Obasanjo over hundreds of people that were “killed along religious lines” in Plateau State.

The presidential aide said, “While the place (Plateau) was turned into killing fields, the then President Olusegun MATTHEW Obasanjo (emphasis on that middle name) visited, and met with the different stakeholders.

“During the dialogue session, the then Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Plateau State asked a question the President found offensive. And the Owu man, a retired Army General, flew off the handle. He let out this fusillade.”

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Adesina quoted Obasanjo as telling Rev Pam, “What role have you played to bring about peace as CAN Chairman in Plateau State? CAN, my foot! What kind of CAN Chairman are you? Did your own Christianity teach you about revenge? You are an idiot. A total idiot. And I have no apologies for that.”

The presidential aide said Obasanjo’s insulting words to the religious leader was unprecedented.

He said, “For a father of the country to publicly excoriate a religious leader? For a Matthew to call a preacher an idiot, “a total idiot?” It was sacrilege walking on two legs. And again, for a President, who laid claim to being a born-again Christian, to denigrate the association of his own faith? “CAN, my foot!” It was the height of it.”

Adesina added that, “…for a Matthew to call a priest an idiot, “a total idiot?” Not acceptable by any stretch of the imagination. It was a bad example for all believers.”

He said fast forward to January 2021, his principal, “a Fulani man from Daura, a Muslim,” honoured the same reverend Obasanjo, a Christian President, allegedly disgraced 17 years ago.

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Adesina added, “Rev Pam finished his term as CAN Chairman in Plateau State. He went on to become Chairman of CAN in all North Central states from 2008 till 2015, and then, Chairman CAN in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, till July 4, last year, when he was named Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), the regulatory body for Christian pilgrimage in the country.

“A tale of the priest and two Presidents. Publicly flagellated by one, a Matthew, and now, honored by the other, a Muhammadu. What Rev Pam didn’t get from a Christian, he got from a Fulani man from Daura, a Muslim. Is there any lesson we can learn from this? Think about it.

“A couple of weeks back, precisely on January 14, 2021, Rev Pam was at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, leading an NCPC team on a courtesy visit to the President. An idiot, “a total idiot” was at the seat of power, being treated with the dignity he deserved, by a man of a different faith. Holy Moses!”

THE WHISTLER reports that Adesina’s article may be coming against the backdrop of allegations that the Buhari administration was persecuting Christians in Nigeria.

The allegation become pronounced when Nigeria became the only country added to the United States’ official list of the world’s worst persecutors of religion in December, 2020.

In February 2020, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, had led a protest march against incessant attacks on Christian communities across the country.

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