Former President Olusegun Obasanjo fired
a fresh salvo the way of President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, when
he looked back at the last eight years and returned with a verdict: The
country had been poorly managed under Jonathan.
Obasanjo said this when the Iyalode of
Yoruba land, Chief Alaba Lawson, led a delegation of South-West women
leaders on a visit to his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta.
The 78-year-old leader said owing to the
mismanagement of the country in the last eight years, the incoming
administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, should be
prepared to face the daunting challenges that lay ahead.
He
said, “The country had been poorly managed in the last eight years and
it would take some time for Buhari’s government to correct the
anomalies. But I want to tell him not to be frightened.”
Calling on Nigerians to exercise
patience with the incoming administration, Obasanjo said the damage that
had been done to the country in the last eight years could not be
corrected overnight.
“What I would say is that we should all
put our minds at rest. He (Buhari) is someone that will perform but we
must exercise patience because what has been destroyed for eight years
cannot be undone overnight.
“But like the Chinese proverb which says
the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, it is not only the
first step (that matters) but the first step in the right direction
because if you take a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the
destination,” he said.
The Owu-born leader recalled that when
he assumed power as civilian president in 1999, the country was in the
same situation it is today – battling fuel crisis and lack of power
supply.
“When I came in 1999, there was no fuel
and power. The situation was like this and I thought we have put that
one behind us,” he stressed, even as he expressed confidence in the
ability of Buhari to surmount the hurdle.
“The man that is coming on board has a
lot of experience in terms of governance. He is not a novice in
governance having ruled the country as a military Head of State from
1983 to 1985.
“Nigerians need to exercise patience
because what has been destroyed in eight years cannot be rebuilt in a
day,” Obasanjo maintained.
Recalling his years as military Head of
State between 1976 and 1979, Obasanjo said he worked closely with Buhari
and that their association produced results.
Urging Nigerians to pray for Buhari,
Obasanjo said the president-elect needs the cooperation of Nigerians in
order to put the country on the right footing.
“Let’s give him time. Let’s pray for him
and let’s cooperate with him. We are all concerned about the present
situation of Nigeria. The expectation is very high but at the same time,
there is a lot of goodwill internally and externally for the incoming
government.
“Once the incoming administration
realises this and takes every step, particularly in the first three
months when people will be watching and counting, I think for me, we
will get there,” the former Peoples Democratic Party leader said.
The former Chairman, PDP Board of
Trustees, however, warned Buhari not to take Nigerians for granted as he
called on him to always be honest in his dealing with Nigerians.
Obasanjo added that with Buhari at the helm of affairs, Nigeria would have a new opportunity.
He said, “God has provided a new
opportunity for Nigeria and Nigerians and I believe God does not make
mistakes. There are two things I believe the incoming President
appreciates; one is that he knows that the expectations of Nigerians are
high and two, that he should not be frightened by the situation on the
ground.”
Also, Obasanjo urged the incoming administration against squandering its goodwill at home and abroad.
Decrying the agony inflicted upon
Nigerians by the scarcity of fuel across the country, Lawson advised
Obasanjo to continue to support the Buhari government in advisory
capacity.
She said, “We are aware that you also
took over the reins of power of this country at a critical time and with
the help of the Almighty God, you were able to bring us back from the
brink. The same goes for now.
“We, therefore, appeal to you not to
leave this incoming government. Though we are confident of the
time-proven abilities of our incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, we
also believe that two heads are better than one and where there is a
gathering of wise ones, wisdom will issue forth from there.”
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