- Safiu Kehinde
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has disclosed how Nigeria and United States diplomatic relationship began under the administration of late US President, Jimmy Carter.
Obasanjo disclosed this while speaking on the life and times of Jimmy Carter in an interview with Arise TV’s Morning Show Monday.
When asked on Carter’s visit to Africa and its significance to Nigeria-US relationship, Obasanjo firstly acknowledged America’s power and global influence.
“Whoever is the leader of America up till today is the leader of the world because America is the greatest country in the world.
“It has the largest economy. It has technology that no other country matches it.
“It has a powerful military force and it has diplomatic strength. Any country can only ignore that at its own peril. So whatever any country does with America, it has to watch how far it can go.” Obasanjo said.
He thereafter narrated how he and other African Leaders had anticipated for Jimmy Carter’s victory against his predecessor, Gerald Ford, was not in terms with South Africa and its allies- including Nigeria.
“When we were in government, the government before President Jimmy Carter was hobnobbing with North Africa.
“We were not satisfied with that. We took firm stand against the government of Ford and Foreign Secretary, Kissinger.
“Kissinger wanted to visit us but he said not yet- not as long as we have this policy that was hobnobbing with South Africa. But even then, we knew that there was limited to how far we could go.
“We were hoping when Jimmy Carter and Ford contested election there will be a change of baton and there was a change of baton.
“But before that change, we have reached out to men around Jimmy Carter and within two weeks of Jimmy being sworn-in, he sent Andy Young to us. And that was the beginning.” Obasanjo said.
On the current state of the Nigeria-US which is set to take another stride with the re-election of Donald Trump, Obasanjo harped on the need to manage the new US administration in a way it won’t use it’s power against Nigeria.
“The position now is that, for now, you cannot say to hell to America. We don’t need to counter with America, but we need to understand where power lies and we need to appreciate how to manage those who have power not to use their power against us.
“If they do not use their power in our favour, let them be at least neutral and not against.” He said.
Obasanjo further expressed that Africa needs to find a way to get under Trump’s skin as he stressed that America has undeniable enlightened interest in the continent.
“We cannot say we have nothing to do with Trump. We have to find a way of getting Trump know that what he called shit house in Africa are not actually shit house. There are also decent houses in Africa.
“I believe that through proper and enlightened presentation, perspectives can change. America has enlightened interest in Africa, by it has to give us respect and dignity we want and let us work together for a peaceful and safer world.” The former President added.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo, lauded the late Jimmy Carter over his humility and power management.
He cited his truce initiation between Israel and Egypt as his greatest achievement.
“He was the first American President to officially visit Africa. He was a man close to God and God close to him.
” We worked closely together for the eradication of colonialism and apartheid.
“He had the power to achieve, but he did no depend on the power to achieve what he had to achieve.
“Jimmy Carter, as I said, is a man who understands power. He was humble with power.
“Bringing Israel and Egypt together is one great achievement. He understand problem and solution as see when you read his book on Israel and Palestine problem.
“That is what all leaders must learn. You don’t just jump into problem without understanding it.” Obasanjo added.
However, he attributed Jimmy Carter’s failure to his poor management of the US-Iran crisis which made him a one-term President.
“He had a problem of handling the issue of occupation of the American Embassy in Iran and he exercised ancient and subtle diplomacy.
“Rather than going for a stick, he used a carrot. Unfortunately, I believe the way that ended was what made him a one-term President.” Obasanjo said.