By Agunwa Emeka Nzeribe
Dear President Muhammadu Buhari,
I read the 14 page statement recently released by former President Olusegun Aremu Kikiola Obasanjo about your stewardship of our nation. Interestingly, both of you were in the army. Both of you are retired generals. Both of you were Military and civilian Presidents. I read the contents of his letter. He is not an ordinary Nigerian and as a statesman, he is in a vintage position to advise you during critical moments like this. Having said all these, I want you to note the following :
1. We are in a democracy and you are a Democrat. Therefore, accept criticisms as you have always done.
2. Although some of the issues raised were exaggerated and the language used was very unpresidential and even somewhat suspicious, you must take it seriously and adress what you honestly consider genuine and in the national interest.
3. You should not lose sleep over Obasanjo ‘ s statement. If you haven’t forgotten, he installed the late Yar’adua as President against you but when he couldn’t remote control him, he fell out with him and wrote him a letter, the type he has just written you. It was the same Obasanjo who brought forth Johnathan , campaigned for him, nurtured his Presidency but still later fell out with him and still wrote him a letter, this same time of message sent to you.
4. Don’t forget that Baba Iyabo had publicly acknowledged your good character and commended your performance even in 2017. So if he condemns you publicly in 2018, it means the handshake has reached the elbow. You know he likes to be in charge and you are one person who belongs to no one and belongs to everybody. No wonder he stopped coming to the Villa and once that happened, I knew his letter will not be long in coming and it came!
4. He confessed in his statement and I’m sure unconsciously that you have done well in security and the fight against corruption. Are you surprised about his anger on your fight against corruption? Well, no one will be happy to build a house and watch it brought down without being VERY ANGRY. I don’t know who the father of corruption is in Nigeria but I know who institutionalized the “Ghana Must Go” phenomenon in Nigeria. I know the President who had 20 thousands in his account but had many billions on leaving office.
4. You must take the observation on the economy very seriously. You are trying but it’s still not good. Many Nigerians are weak in the stomach. Take a hard look at those around you. I agree that some of them do not belong there. The EFCC has just arrested Babachir. Don’t you think you still need to sack others like him hanging around you and leave EFCC to ask them some pertinent questions?
5. Don’t worry if you are criticized on your handling of the economy by a man who met the dollar changing for 22 naira but took it to 150 in just 2 years.
5. The man is trying to take the driver’s seat. Don’t you see the body language? His boys have been sent to seek the presidency. One is in APC and the other in PDP. His letter coming at this time is a bell to announce the plans.
6. When Obasanjo arrested a sitting governor in handcuffs and sacked him from office, he also razed down Odi and eliminated everyone and everything in it. He declared a state of emergency in Plateau and forcefully removed senate presidents at will to show his presidential power. Oh my God! Where is Bola Ige, Obsanjo’s Minister of Justice? What of the charismatic Harry Marshal and all those brilliant Nigerians who dared to speak then? Even the one suffering from verbal dysentery, i mean Fayose, understands the difference netwen OBJ and PMB. You are a Democrat. Maintain the sanity of a president and civility of a Democrat.
6. Finally, did i hear that OBJ said he shouldn’t contest in 2019? I don’t know his source of moral at amino but a man who wasted billions in bribes to alter the constitution, a man who had made himself the Mobutu of Nigeria can not stop a good man like you from being our President again. Power belongs to God. He determines who to give NOT Obasanjo. Let me say that you are the best alternative we have right now. We know you need to really do more. We are with you. We want you. If God permits to be alive in 2019 and you contest, we will vote for you.
7. Buharin nan dai!
