Why I sacked 93 top military officers in 1999 – Obasanjo

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says his decision to
retire 93 top military officers on his assumption of office in 1999
has gone a long way in saving and stabilizing the nation’s
democracy.

Obasanjo branded the move as a kind of engineering in politics,
pointing out that the mass retirement was inevitable on account of
the lavish life style of some top military men in the corridor of
power.

He spoke at his 80th birthday celebration organized by the
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja at the weekend.

The former president also warned people from referring to him
again as Matthew, a name he said he dropped a long time ago.

He said: “If anyone does not want to see my red eyes, don’t call
me Matthew again.”

He said that moving people from one position to another could be
a blessing in disguise, citing the examples of former Governor of
Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former national chairman
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Barnabas Gemade
.

Oyinlola was military administrator of Lagos during the Abacha
regime and was one of those affected by the Obasanjo purge while
Gemade lost his position as PDP chairman in a move believed to have
been sanctioned by the ex-president.

Obasanjo said the development has not affected his relationship
with both men because to him, Nigeria comes first in
everything.

He said: “Talking about engineering in politics, when I got into
office as elected president, I got 93 officers of the armed forces
out of the military because they were used to what is called the
chummy chummy life in government house, and if I had left them in
the military they would have been the ones that would have created
more problems for us and our democratic dispensation would not have
lasted as it has.

“Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was one of the 93 officers, but in
everything in life there may be a silver lining. If he hadn’t been
out at the time he may never have been governor. If Senator Gemade
had not been kicked out as chairman he would never have become a
senator, but I’m happy that I was looking for perfection and what
is best for Nigeria.

“Gemade is my friend and is still a friend and will remain a
friend, but when it comes to Nigeria even with the best of my
friends, Nigeria will come first. And for that I have no apology
and I will have no apology for that.”

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says his decision to
retire 93 top military officers on his assumption of office in 1999
has gone a long way in saving and stabilizing the nation’s
democracy.

Obasanjo branded the move as a kind of engineering in politics,
pointing out that the mass retirement was inevitable on account of
the lavish life style of some top military men in the corridor of
power.

He spoke at his 80th birthday celebration organized by the
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja at the weekend.

The former president also warned people from referring to him
again as Matthew, a name he said he dropped a long time ago.

He said: “If anyone does not want to see my red eyes, don’t call
me Matthew again.”

He said that moving people from one position to another could be
a blessing in disguise, citing the examples of former Governor of
Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former national chairman
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Barnabas Gemade
.

Oyinlola was military administrator of Lagos during the Abacha
regime and was one of those affected by the Obasanjo purge while
Gemade lost his position as PDP chairman in a move believed to have
been sanctioned by the ex-president.

Obasanjo said the development has not affected his relationship
with both men because to him, Nigeria comes first in
everything.

He said: “Talking about engineering in politics, when I got into
office as elected president, I got 93 officers of the armed forces
out of the military because they were used to what is called the
chummy chummy life in government house, and if I had left them in
the military they would have been the ones that would have created
more problems for us and our democratic dispensation would not have
lasted as it has.

“Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was one of the 93 officers, but in
everything in life there may be a silver lining. If he hadn’t been
out at the time he may never have been governor. If Senator Gemade
had not been kicked out as chairman he would never have become a
senator, but I’m happy that I was looking for perfection and what
is best for Nigeria.

“Gemade is my friend and is still a friend and will remain a
friend, but when it comes to Nigeria even with the best of my
friends, Nigeria will come first. And for that I have no apology
and I will have no apology for that.”