Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has given President Muhammadu Buhari condition for ceasefire: “He should do what is right that his boss (Obasanjo) wants him to do.”
He said except the president did that, he would continue to criticise him as he remained Buhari’s boss.
Obasanjo gave the condition on Tuesday on the occasion of his 82 birthday at his presidential library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He was responding to the advice by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, that he should leave Buhari alone and criticize him less.
Oba Gbadebo had said: “You all know that I was an officer under General Buhari so each time Obasanjo criticises my boss, I always stand to say my senior (OBJ), please leave the President alone. At 82, baba is still fighting on, please fight less and be a consultant to everybody.”
Reacting to the advice, however, Obasanjo said “Kabiyesi, any time you say, ‘Leave my boss alone,’ I agree, he is your boss. But I am also his boss’. So, you might also ask your boss (Buhari) to leave his boss alone or do what is right that his boss wants him to do.”
He stated that he did not have any personal issue with the president but was only exercising his right under democratic rule.
His words: “Governance is not a family affair and democracy involves criticism and considering all 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.
“If it is my brother that is occupying the leadership role and he is not doing what I believe he should do, he must be criticised and that is what democracy is all about.
“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 accessories after the fact.
“That is what democracy is all about, criticism and seeing the other side. 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.
“So, Kabiyesi, your boss, Buhari, there is nothing personal between me and him. Just as he is your boss, I am his boss, with all due respect.
“Now, the point is that I have been in that position longer than any Nigerian will ever be there. That’s true. If any Nigerian comes in and has two terms, he will not have almost four years of military rule.
“I have been there longer than any Nigerian would ever be. So, when I say something, I know what I am talking about.”
