Rtd Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president, has publicly expressed support for the electioneering campaign of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obasanjo, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, made his opinion known during an interview with the Financial Times at the launch of his controversial autobiography titled, ‘My Watch’, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Obasanjo said Buhari, who ruled Nigeria between December 1983 and August 1985, was aware of the challenges of Nigeria today and was qualified to rule the country.
He said, “The circumstances he (Buhari) will be working under if he wins the elections are different from the one he worked under before, where he was both the executive and the legislature – he knows that. He is smart enough. He is educated enough. He’s experienced enough. Why shouldn’t I support him?”
Obasanjo said he was confident that Buhari would be able to effectively tackle corruption and insecurity.
The former President said Buhari would restore the morale of the military which, he said, was needed in the fight against terrorism.
He said President Goodluck Jonathan betrayed the armed forces by allowing corruption to undermine their operations.
He said, “It is a question of leadership – political and military. I think you need to ask Jonathan how he let the army go to this extent. Many things went wrong: recruitment went wrong; training went wrong; morale went down; motivation was not there; corruption was deeply ingrained; andwelfare was bad.”
Obasanjo added that he was saddened by the rate at which the nation’s resources were dwindling, adding that when he left office, Nigeria had $45bn in its reserve but the resources had been depleted by more than half despite the increase in oil prices.
Reacting to the postponement of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission for security reasons and a better distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, Obasanjo said he hoped the Federal Government was being truthful.
He urged Jonathan to put the interest of the nation ahead of his own ambition.
He said warned that manipulating the electoral process could lead to a coup d’etat, adding that the May 29 handover date remained sacrosanct.
“I sincerely hope that the President is not going for broke and saying ‘look dammit, it’s either I have it or nobody has it’. I hope that we will not have a coup. I hope we can avoid it,” he said.
It is the first time that the ex-president has publicly spoken of his support for Buhari. He recently said that he would only speak out on his leaning after the election has been conducted. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Obasonjo u will be put to shame in Jesus name.Amen
ReplyDeleteWhen you are suppprting evil, dont dare mention the name of Jesus.
DeleteYou are the evil that has underdeveloped Nigeria. God will judge you.
ReplyDeleteObansanjo thanks to you for saying the truth. Jonathan has failed woefully. The military have turned to houseboy and rogues. Sad.
ReplyDeleteNO SANE NIGERIAN WILL EVER SUPPORT THIS MANIPULATIVE JONATHAN AND HIS pdpigs! CHANGE ALL THE WAY AS WE MARCH4BUHARI ON THE 28!
ReplyDeleteLuk who is telkin mr obj when u rule as head state nd president of nigerian where was d motivion u are telkin about my father was a soldier how much was his salary,mr obj u dont know anytin about recruitment just shut up ur gurta u call mouth no b 30k to join soldier when u dey office how mony candidate u dey put dere way no pass throug nomal screenin u dey telk of recruitment,was it nt u obj and babagida that corupt nigeria,am nt in suport of goodluck either buhari bcs am nt goin out to vote for anybody they all president of there porket.God bless nigeria
ReplyDeleteEvil tribes because good people like you don't act. If you don't vote Nigeria will still have a president. My advice is vote for a better option, it's your right!
Deleteyou can never compare OBJ with Jonathan. I really do wonder why people are supporting Jonathan. few that I inteviewed; is all about personal interest.... OBJ please if you know how took GEJ form Otuoke to Aso rock please take him back to Otuoke. we the nationalist are begging you in the Name of whatever you worship!!!
DeleteIf you don't vote....rogues and thieves will continue to rule.... So go out and vote for the best
DeleteGod will frustrate all your collective plans in Jesus name Amen.
ReplyDeleteObasanjo,you're one of Nigeria's many problems, so don't tell us nonsense. How come the military got this rotten after you and your fellow generals held power for all these years? You spent 8yrs,IBB spent another 8yrs,this same Buhari spent 3yrs,Abacha was there too. Where are the arms you generals procured for the Nigerian Army? Why are they fighting with obsolete equipment, while your Boko haram has choice weapons? Do yo you think we don't know that it is the arms you generals purchased for the northern armoury,that Boko haram is using? Do you think we don't know your boys in the military and those of your fellow generals are more loyal to you than the country,thereby undermining the C in C?
ReplyDeleteDo you think we do know why the north picked you from the prison and made you President? You have delivered to them and sold your brothers for wealth that will never follow your grave that is no more far away from you. But the mighty one who shall forever remain greater than you shall put all of you to shame.
You have done enough to us,you better stop,so that providence shall accord you at least 30mins rest from the miserable life you'll live after your death in the 'yonder'.
No any patrotic nigerian free of sentiment dat would not believe wat OBJ said. pls let come out enmass 4 marchbuhari.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is bitter and it has been said, so why all the ranting? Jonathan has corrupted the military so much such that it cannot prosecute the fight against insurgents.
ReplyDeleteObj is a disappointment to not only Nigeria but the whole world.
ReplyDeleteGOODLUCK JONATHAN IS A DEFINITION OF EXECUTIVE INEPTITUDE AND LEADERSHIP FAILURE IN 21TH CENTURY.
ReplyDeleteNobody wants to see the achievements of this Government simply because of the hatred they have on the Presidency and the must rule agenda of the north. Of all people, Obasanjo has the gut to talk about rotten army, corruption and respect of rule of law? Am amazed. Rid on OBJ, i will not say more what your daughter has said about you. But one thing you must know, God is watching.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish Fela Anikulapo Kuti were to be alive to judge between Jonathan and Obasanjo. In any case Fela's song aptly describes who Obasanjo is.Then people taught that Fela was out of his mind but now we know better. God bless Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteGEJ begin to write your handing Over note
ReplyDeleteYou never see something yet , shut up ur stupid mouth , GEJ is far better than OBJ and Buhari put them to test of Governance.-Oboki
DeletePeople should tell us what Jonathan has done instead of being sentimental. He promised stable power supply where is it? many jobs, for who? Roads how many in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Kwara, ...? Nigeirans in diaspora would vote in 2015, even we at home are yet to be certain of that? Rendering Nigerian army to toothless Dogs? Tell us his achievement.
ReplyDeleteBrave man, it takes only a brave man to say the truth. For people asking what OBj did the records are there except you are blind you won't see it. This PDP government has not done anything to deserve re election even the president has severally acknowledged his poor performance. The only reason people support Jonathan is because of sentiments not due to performance. We can't continue running our country this way. Time to change is now.
ReplyDelete"A lizard in Nigeria will not turn around to become a crocodile in London". U all (OBJ, BUHARI, GEJ and co.) are disappointment to this great country NIGERIA. GOD will judge u!
ReplyDelete"A lizard in Nigeria will not turn around to become a crocodile in London". U all (OBJ, BUHARI, GEJ and co.) are disappointment to this great country NIGERIA. GOD will judge u!
ReplyDeletePower belongs to God. He is the only One who as the final say on who comes in next after GEJ. God doesn't see as men see. His counsel shall stand.
ReplyDeleteHow come 13m voters cards have been distributed in the NW whilst only 4m have been distributed in the SE? Why was INEC more efficient in the NW than the SE in the distribution of PVCs? Is it not the same INEC?
ReplyDeletesome people re fool, now Obj is now good man to APC when Obj was president, did he pay lagos state their money? no. But now dat Obj see who is doing d right thing, he join APC bcz he did nt wish nigerian well. her daughter wrote him a letter. wish is d true about him. big fool
ReplyDeletesome people re fool, now Obj is now good man to APC when Obj was president, did he pay lagos state their money? no. But now dat Obj see who is doing d right thing, he join APC bcz he did nt wish nigerian well. her daughter wrote him a letter. wish is d true about him. big fool
ReplyDeleteOBJ is a shame to the west , despite all the SS wealth he stole to build Uta farm , people like OBJ do not suppose say any thing to Nigerians because he is a corrupt past President of Nigeria. We will see when time comes when Niger delta revolved against u -OBJ.a pot calling a kettle black.
ReplyDeleteVERY WISE MAN. OBJ you will always endorse GMB as you wisely endorsed Yaradua.
ReplyDeleteFela Anikulapo Kuti said it earlier before now.
No weapon fashioned against mr presido shall prosper, since God is concen,amen.
ReplyDeleteIts the ripe mango fruits that gets most stones throw. GEJ keep working n ignore the stones. Although progress is slow, we will get there.
ReplyDeleteOBJ has seen the polls n believe GMB has d advantage. So he gives him his support. Just the same way Ur support is irrelevant to GEJ so it is also to GMB. One Man one Vote
ReplyDeleteI STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE NORTHERNERS ARE PLANNING TO USE THE ARMY TO TAKE BACK THE POWER,KNOWING FULL WELL THAT IT IS GOING TO BE THEIR EASIEST WAY OF DOING THAT.OBJ AND BUHARI HAS STARTED GIVING US THE HINTS.THEY ARE BOTH AWARE OF THIS PLANS THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE STARTED WARNING NIGERIANS ABOUT COUP.OBJ HAS BETRAYED PDP AS THEY ALWAYS DO.BUT GOD IS WATCHING.MAY GOD BLESS NIGERIA AND GIVE US THE RIGHT LEADER.
ReplyDelete