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| Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari |
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, has advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop attacking President Muhammadu Buhari as he (Obasanjo) clocks 82.
The monarch said he had never been comfortable whenever Obasanjo attacked Buhari, urging him to sheathe his sword.
Alake gave the advice in his goodwill message during Obasanjo’s 82nd birthday celebration at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo was born on March 5, 1937.
Alake, who served as a military officer during the military administration of Buhari between 1983 and 1985, said he had always told Obasanjo to leave his boss alone.
According to the monarch, Obasanjo has fought for the peace of the country more than anyone and has won many battles for Nigeria.
You all know that I was an officer under Gen. Buhari; so, each time Obasanjo criticises my boss, I always tell my senior (Obasanjo); ‘[please, leave the President alone!’
“At 82, baba is still fighting; please, fight less and be a father to everybody.
“You need to rest, fight less and take a position of a consultant at your new age.
“At 82 years, I think you should keep your sword more rather than use it always,” he said.
But Obasanjo, while acknowledging the goodwill messages from friends, responded to Alake’s plea.
Obasanjo, who supported his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party, was one of Buhari’s fiercest critics during the electioneering.
He explained that the issues between him and Buhari were not personal.
He said, “Governance is not a family affair and democracy involves criticism and considering all the sides to an issue.
“There is nothing personal between President Buhari and I.
“In a democracy, you can criticise a policy, a government or a leader because democracy is not a family affair.
“I believe that Africa has no alternative to democracy, good governance, development and growth of our economy.
“And if that is not happening in any country, those who keep quiet about it are accomplices.
“So, if I say anybody in government in Nigeria or any government for that matter is not doing well, let that government prove that it is well. It is not anything personal.
“So, Kabiyesi (Alake), your boss Buhari; there is nothing personal between us. Just as he is your boss, I am also his boss, with all due respect.
Obasanjo, who ruled as a military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and as a democratically elected President from 1999 to 2007, said he would forever remain Nigeria’s longest serving leader.
“Now, if any Nigerian comes in and have two terms, he will not have almost four years of military rule. So, I have been there longer than any Nigerian would ever be there.
“Kabiyesi (Alake), anytime you say, ‘leave my boss alone,’ I say ‘he is your boss.’
“But I am also his (Buhari) boss. So, you might also ask your boss (Buhari) to leave his boss alone or do what is right.”
Earlier, a former Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, delivered a lecture titled, ‘Colonialism, Apartheid, Freedom and South Africa Rising.’
Buthelezi identified corruption as the biggest challenge facing the African continent.
Buthelezi, who noted that only six countries in the African Union had ranked above 50 on the corruption index, stressed that “corruption is pervasive throughout the region.”
He said, “We must, however, accept the facts and fix it. When we consider countries like Seychelles and Botswana who have become paragons of excellence, we need to ask what they did to achieve such.
“There are measures we can take and we must take them; and if we can overcome the challenges in Africa, we will open the possibilities for growth, development and social justice,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has showered praises on Obasanjo as he turns 82 years old, saying that he is “a passionate and great patriot who deserves accolades for his immeasurable contributions to our democracy and national unity.”
The President said he would continue to accord Obasanjo respect, in spite of their political differences.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the President said, “regardless of our political differences with Obasanjo, I still hold him in the highest esteem because his contributions to the development of the country overshadow those differences.”
Recalling their days together in the country’s Armed Forces, Buhari noted, “Chief Obasanjo gave a good account of himself and inspired his juniors with his wit and other leadership skills.”
On Obasanjo’s indelible marks, the President said, “Nigeria’s successful transition to democratic rule in October 1979 was one of Obasanjo’s remarkable contributions to national development.”
“As he celebrates his 82nd Birthday Anniversary, I wish Chief Obasanjo more good health, knowledge and wisdom in the service of Nigeria and humanity.”
