Dr. Olusegun Mimiko

By Eni Akinsola, The Nation. February 12, 2007

When President Olusegun Obasanjo took on Dr. Segun Mimiko, the Ondo born doctor who wants to unseat Governor Agagu in the April elections in Ondo State, he delivered a blow that was callous, vindictive and serpentine. He looked at his quarry and struck him way below the belt. It was a punch that was meant to either knock the man out of political contention or incapacitate him for as long as possible.

He knew it was going to be difficult for Mimiko to take him up headlong. The fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is the beginning of wisdom, for those who have forayed into government. More than this, you never can tell what small things could be raked up in this era for all kinds of consideration.

Mimiko was struck and left for dead. More, a sharp sword was hung directly over his pummelled body. Any slight move, the sword is allowed to drop for the kill. Not only was his pedigree questioned, but his history was queried by a man he served under as minister till he resigned recently.

In a judgemental manner, we were told that the man stole while serving as minister and that soon, the EFCC will be unleashed on him.

From the way the judgement was delivered, it looked more like an investigation has been conducted and some heinous findings about widespread stealing have been uncovered. The only worry was that the president claimed that the EFCC would be called in.

That seems like reversing the earlier verdict. If Mr President believes that the EFCC still has a job to do in Mimiko’s case, where did he get the guilt verdict he preposterously pasted on the cross upon which he nailed Mimiko? Was the corruption-busting body not meant to investigate? Upon whose investigation did Mr President base his verdict?

When did he discover the sleaze he claims Mimiko got involved in? Was it when he was begging the man to remain in his cabinet as he claimed? Did he just know, now that the man has declared his candidacy against the president’s wish, that the man is the thief he is painting him as?

But what has his family history got to do with his foray in government? Was he recommended to Obj by anybody in the family? Why must this president befoul the stead of one as young as to be his son? Why must he invite the abuse of the young this brazenly?

The questions can go on and on. We may never get the answers because Mimiko may take the blow, as he will be counselled to for political reasons, and let it ride.

Has he not read that, at that same place where the Bible enjoined the young to respect the elderly, it also asked the old never to provoke the young?

There is a gut feeling that this president is ready to throw everything, including his self respect into the 2007 race. It is important that those who are still close to him call him to order before a young man calls his bluff and takes him to the cleaners. For his sake and the sake of Yoruba’s time tested culture of respecting elders, he need to slow down on some of his adventures, particularly as they concern the ambition of younger people.

One other thing that came across from the charges plastered against Mimiko is that the President sees the EFCC as an appendage of the presidency. The way he spoke of the body coming for Mimiko shows that he is the one to prod them to action. This is surely not too good for the EFCC. Does the body first submit its findings to the president before investigation? Or is it that the President first investigates and then sends his findings to the EFCC for action? The latter looks like what obtained in the Mimiko case.

Mimiko may take the advice not to drag the president, for his age and his office, on the floor. He ought to be clear and unwavering, however, in telling him to be more circumspect next time around.

This is not just one issue that should be allowed to go away simply by leaving the stage and submitting to the allegations before they are proved. In any case, now that he who alleges has judged, Mimiko should just not allow the sentence of political extinction to be passed upon him without a fight.

It is good that he has denied being corrupt, if the president takes the allegations any further, then he should live up to the challenge and ask for proof.

As for Mr President, when the high and the mighty chase the weak and the lowly to their doorsteps, there are two possible options: to turn back and leave his quarry or to pursue him further and risk his anger.

There is nowhere else for a man chased to the wall: turning back to fight may be the only option. But that may not be in this era for Segun Mimiko and OBJ.

Via The Nation: http://www.thenationonlineng.com/dynamicpage.asp?id=10831