It is high time we start taking Obasanjo seriously — Oyegun warns

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo may not be considered the most liked personality in the country especially by those who see him as the 'face of corruption', yet, he is considered as one of the most experienced leaders in the country whose words carry weight, thus must be taken seriously.



Obasanjo has voiced his concerns over the Buhari administration’s inability to effectively tackle insecurity and unite a nation clearly divided along religious line. He has also recently, condemned Buhari's decision to borrow $29.6 billion, saying the future generation is in danger since there's no guarantee government would judiciously make good use of the borrowed funds.


“Everyone knows that our governments are notoriously deficient in serious and adequate discipline and most often lack competence and consistency as well," the former President said.

John Oyegun, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Obasanjo is a respected leader whose words must be taken with the seriousness it deserves.




Describing the former President as the kind of leader Nigeria needs, Oyegun in an interview with New Telegraph , said some issues raised by Obasanjo may have been exaggerated, it does not in any way however, means the former President doesn't know what he's talking about especially on areas of Islamization.

He said, “There is no question at all that claims of Islamization, calls for worry because we cannot pretend it doesn't exist considering the activities of herdsmen virtually in every state of the federation, which would likely lead to unpleasantness all over the country.



Speaking further, Oyegun said, “I respect him (Obasanjo). Every nation needs a man like that. What is happening is that because of his status, his experience, his background, what he says becomes infinitely weighty and cannot be ignored.”

In a similar statement, Senator Adeseye Ogunlew who was a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Minister of Works under the regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said his former boss must be taken seriously due to his age and experience.


He said, "Obasanjo is not used to just talking and he has seen it all. He has fought a war to unite Nigeria. He was in the forefront of the battle for the unity of the country.

"So, he knows what he is talking about. He is not a small man in this sort of business. And nobody should underrate or undermine whatever he says.



"When he speaks, somebody should listen, and arrangements should be made quickly to pull back before it is too late," he said.