Wait a minute… critics would argue that it was just another jamboree for politicians to meet and strategise…?

Lets respect their opinion on the matter but this is mine. At the risk of sounding as holding brief for an administration that has done more for this country than all other administrations since independence from Britain in 1960 combined. I have looked carefully at the history books and must concede that no one else had enjoyed eight uninterrupted years of democratic governance. Yet for a country like Nigeria , with its unique problems and socio economic peculiarities its can be tough to leave a legacy. The Obasanjo administration has scored very high marks on public sector reforms, deregulation of public services and utilities, anti-corruption crusades, money laundering and financial crimes issues. It has almost totally repaid the debt owed the Paris Club and restored investors confidence in the country. All these in about eight years… and if you think or speculate that politicians were meting under the pretext of celebrating his birthday to strategise, then that is your opinion, am not a politician.

One of the greatest worries I have had is about people who claim that both the anti corruption crusade as well as and terrific job being done by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is “selective”? 

When someone is alleged to have committed an offence or other crimes, it not, in my opinion, a good defence to allege that other people are doing the same thing or that you are being singled out for falling out with so so and so person and that everyone else is doing it. That is simply ludicrous.. it stands logic on its head. For God’s sake, simply proof to us that you are innocent and let others continue their indulgence until they too are caught.

What regrets do you have and what challenges abound for the Nigerian democracy?

The band wagon effect and the pull towards a single party state is perhaps the single most dangerous threat we now face in the current democratic experience. Very view people want to be in the opposition party for obvious reasons. So there is a tendency for people to flock to the ruling party just to make up the numbers and belong to the winning party simply to be able to share cabinet positions and attendant perks from such office. Indeed it is only in Nigeria that you have a scenario where a party leader openly announced at a press briefing that a cabinet Minister from another party was invited out of pity merely “to come and chop”. So many things that happen in this country cannot happen elsewhere and that’s why we say that often for the wrong reasons, this country is truly unique. I took time out to expatiate on this aspect of our national psyche in my satirical work:” Why I still mourn General Sanni Abacha)

Why do you think that Nigeria is truly unique?

This is the most amazing place on earth! So many things that occur here can only happen here and nowhere else. I have offered my explanations on this point in several of my researches and there is nothing more to add. Like I said, for you to appreciate the point being canvassed here, you may have to read some of my satirical articles, especially the one captioned: ”Why I still mourn General Abacha”

Homosexuality and AIDS what’s the link?

Some respected doctors think so, maybe they are right.

Most famous places visited and the most impressive?

Buckingham palace, Arlington National Cemetery ; Ground Zero (where the World Trade Centre once stood) The White House perhaps would be the most impressive place yet.

Your mother or your wife?

My wife won’t like this… but the truth is that it’s my mother first before anybody else. Let me explain: if I run into a man in a dark alley molesting my wife, I will most likely call the police. But if it were my mother being molested, I probably will take laws into my hands first before calling 911… and may God save the assailant that I was not carrying a loaded gun otherwise I will not even need to weigh the options of standing trial for manslaughter or seeing my dear mother molested before my very eyes!

Favourite Child?

Usually the youngest child at any point in time wins my sympathy…call it favour if you will. Conversely, the eldest child is to blame for any mix-up… for obvious reasons.

Burial or cremation?

Does it really matter? It depends on how you go really. If you go in an air crash you will probably be cremated against your will anyway. If you go in a shipwreck, you’ll end up in some can of sardine as food for the fishes. If it’s an earthquake, well you end up six feet under before you realise it boy…can’t you understand? But back to your question, I prefer to be buried, that way, you get a semblance of that refrain “rest in peace”.

Whiskey or brandy?

Both … once in a very long while…and a third brew “palmwine”…especially socially.

The war in Iraq ?

Don’t care about who started it and don’t care about the reasons for doing so…let it end please...so much bloodshed. ..There is so much human sufferings, so much wanton destruction of life that it makes me sick.

Resurging Soviet Union ?

Maybe it’s good to have a second super power to keep the USA in check but truly the world is better without a cold war and an arms race in tow. You probably will never have a unified Soviet Empire like the one Stalin ruled over.

A nuclear Iran ?

Every nation is entitled to pursue a nuclear program for peaceful means. It’s not about Iran as a nation, it’s about the leadership. I think the West is apprehensive mainly due to the rhetoric of the Iranian leadership. We must be careful not to precipitate a nuclear confrontation in the Middle East because that would be the beginning of the end of mankind. My guess is that the world is inching slowly but steadily towards just that. This is my prediction.

Fantasy?

A trip to Mars