Nigerians on Twitter have reacted to former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comment about late Buruji Kashamu.
Obasanjo, in his condolence message to Ogun State Government, said while Kashamu’s death was “sad”, his life and history left “lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil.”
“Senator Buruji Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria,” Obasanjo said, according to a statement signed by his spokesman Kehinde Akinyemi.
“But no legal, political, cultural, social, or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up,” he added.
The ever vocal Nigerians on Twitter had divided opinion about the former president’s comment, some described it as insensitive others said Obasanjo is being blunt and refused to pretend even after death.
Another episode of hypocrisy when people die. I don’t know why Obasanjo is getting backlash, esp as he has always been a cold hearted unforgiving blunt man. May Kashamu RIP. But his death doesn’t change that he was a fugitive. Live well so people don’t have to lie when you die. pic.twitter.com/gx5atiHbra
— Ayò Bánkólé (@AyoBankole) August 9, 2020
What’s wrong with some Yoruba political leaders. First it was Gov Seyi Makinde against Late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and now Chief Olushegu Obasanjo against Late Sen. Buruji Kashamu.
When a man dies, every rif must be buried….,, pic.twitter.com/bft8AXDDT4— FG Palliative (@PrinceMerit_SA) August 9, 2020
Dear Chief Obasanjo, that was irresponsible of you sir.
— Henry Shield (@henryshield) August 9, 2020
What Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said about Buruji Kashamu is absolutely the truth and it’s same for most corrupt Nigerian politicians.
Many of them used and maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offences, but they would not escape death.
— Tosin Olugbenga (@TosinOlugbenga) August 9, 2020
Obasanjo statement on Buruji Kashamu is arguably the truth.
The timing appears to be wrong.
However, I feel we should normalize speaking truths even to the dead.
We saw how guys were praising Abba Kyari, Ajimobi, Pepper weeks ago, and even tried to coerce others into sympathy.— Premier (@SodiqTade) August 9, 2020
Obasanjo built the Nigerian state that has room for the like of Buruji to become a senator, whilst a wanted felon…
He has absolutely no moral pedestal from where to preach on any subject of morality…🤨
— Dele Farotimi (@DeleFarotimi) August 9, 2020
Do we need to wait for Obasanjo to die before we open his own book? Let’s inculcate the habit of telling these people the truth while they are alive.
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè 🇳🇬 (@YemieFASH) August 9, 2020
I see nothing wrong with this letter from Obasanjo.
Why do we fear and respect the dead so much?
When these men in power today are gone, some fools will come and start saying how they’re angels and all.
If an evil person dies, we should say he’s evil and not try to paint him good pic.twitter.com/RjgQwroxhT— mr_robmichael pitied you and (@mr_robmichael) August 9, 2020
Obj can shake or shatter any of their tables, alive or not. But they dare not touch any of Baba’s tables while he lives. What’s going on sef?Is Baba a saint?🤷🏽#Obasanjo pic.twitter.com/Fim0OeZ72J
— Minister of Public Works (Ekimogun Republic) (@Real_Seekay) August 9, 2020
But Obasanjo was fair to Kashamu naaaa. Why are people frowning at what he said.
The first paragraph was his actual condolence, the second paragraph reflects his opinion about Kashamu’s strand of politics and the 3rd paragraph expresses his wishes for a ‘sinner’. So….? pic.twitter.com/v9uXzBHAUY
— Diary of an African Blogger (@EfioItaNyok) August 9, 2020
This is a letter written by Obasanjo against Buruji Kashamu when he was alive In 2014. However, Baba Obasanjo Is not writing this because Esho jinadu is no more alive, Baba is just too blunt with truth.
Obj is too old to please anybody or everybody, so if what baba is pic.twitter.com/7HKFl5w0jy
— Ifedolapo Osun (@DolapoOsun1414) August 9, 2020
Haaaa, baba Obasanjo this one too much oooooo….
Are you still fighting the DEAD Man….#fightnoreachmakewedie pic.twitter.com/0N0Uj5XSR4
— Adeyemo Adeloye (@AdeloyeAdeyemo) August 9, 2020
Obasanjo is a colossal disgrace to the Yoruba races. You dare mock a deceased person, it’s proportionate of anyone to bad mouth corrupt person but not obasanjo. pic.twitter.com/43EPhcCtNE
— Matarab Autos And Real Estate Agent (@BHANDDY2) August 9, 2020
