What Nigerians think about Obasanjo’s advice to Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari should leave office now that the ovation is loud. Secondly, age is not on his side. We want young men to take over the leadership of the country; those who are agile that can withstand the stress in that office because that office is very stressful. He should leave the seat now. Let him not seek for a second term in office. He has tried for the nation but let another person come in and try as well

Also, he shouldn’t look for or choose a successor because the presidency is not a family affair. I don’t like the idea of the President selecting somebody to take over from him. Let the people decide. 

Elder Abali Emmanuel, 70, Businessman

President Buhari was once a military Head of State of this nation. This is not a military government but he’s trying to show that he’s a military man. If Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has advised him to step aside, he should step aside. Buhari has tried for the nation. When he came in, he told us that he would better the country’s economy. But sadly, he has not done that. He said he was going to reduce the price of petrol but he has not done that. Look at what happened last December, and he is the Petroleum minister. It’s not fair. He has not fulfilled any of his campaign promises as far as I’m concerned. Who is sure he won’t make things worse if he continues in office. 

 

Mr Godwin Obi Okonkwo, 60, Public Servant

The truth is that Obasanjo spoke his mind and the Nigerian voters will decide what will happen. But in actual sense, the major problem I think will affect President Buhari’s ambition is the Fulani herdsmen attacks. Buhari is talking about fighting hunger but those farmers who try to produce food are being killed by herdsmen. How does he intend to fight hunger with this kind of approach or attitude? His fight against hunger cannot work in such a situation. He should protect those who are producing food and stop protecting the Fulani herdsmen who are killing people. He should prosecute them and let them face judgment. The way he is keeping silent, it seems that he is supporting the Fulanis. 

Malam Yahuza Badamasi, 53, Farmer

Obasanjo has given President Buhari the best advice. He should allow someone else run the affairs of the country after the expiration of his tenure come 2019. 

Obasanjo has shown to Nigerians that he is a complete gentleman who likes Nigeria and Nigerians as well. Buhari has failed to redeem the promises he made to during his campaign. Nigerians are dying for lack of food and drugs in our hospitals, and Buhari has said it severally that he is aware. Although he has achieved little in the area of security, that will not be enough to give him an automatic ticket for the second term because the masses are suffering. Many people cannot feed their families thrice a day.

Bashir Hamza, 37

I see Obasanjo’s letter as a call for correction in the present administration. President Buhari needs to show more commitment and sincerity in his fight against corruption by prosecuting past and present leaders who were and are still corrupt. Before now I had no peace of mind due to insecurity, but today I relate with anybody without fear. This is an area in which the president deserves commendation. About the 2019 general election, though I want Buhari to continue, I want him to create more chances for the youth in governance, either as Senators, House of Representative members, and governors, and maybe even as president in the end.

Chukwuemeka Eze, 40, Businessman

Obasanjo’s letter to President Buhari is on point. Before Buhari became the president of Nigeria, we traders were getting things easier. At least if you use N1000 in the market you can buy something reasonable for your family, Now you cannot go to the market with N3000 and buy what you can eat. Buhari has failed us. All the promises he made during campaign have not been fulfilled. Security has not improved. Look at what is happening in Benue, Taraba and other parts of the country. He should rest and take care of his family. 

Alhaji Murtala Dam Mutum, Businessman

I am sure it is because of the sufferings of the people that the former president advised Buhari not to contest in 2019 general elections. I think Obasanjo is right because Buhari is not really tackling the problems of this country. Although the federal government has introduced good agricultural programmes, but the real farmers are not benefiting from such schemes because most of the people appointed to handle the programmes have no experience in the field of agriculture. I hope president Buhari will change his approach towards agriculture so that actual farmers can benefit from his programmes.

Miss Chidera Daniel, 27, Student

I think President Buhari should go and rest. If he were to be my father, I would try and discourage him from trying to remain in office. I wouldn’t want to lose my father because he wants to be in office even when he’s not very healthy.  It might cause more harm to his health. Things are getting worse in the country day by day…

Engr. Isaac Ugoamadi, 55, Sub-Contractor

 

Baba is always right in expressing his opinions. Buhari’s government has brought the country into nothing. People are living from hand to mouth. I support what he told President Buhari because we, the poor masses, are suffering. There is no food or jobs and every day there are killings.