Femi Adesina Slams Obasanjo Over Alleged Plot Against Buhari

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina has slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo over an alleged plan to unsettle the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Adesina quoted a report as saying that Obasanjo had rallied all former Nigerian leaders to pass a vote of no confidence on President Buhari over the worsening insecurity in the country.

He said that it was only General Yakubu Gowon that rejected the idea, adding that he had waited for the former president to debunk the story but had refused to do.

The presidential spokesperson made his known in an article titled, ‘Hiding under the umbrella of insecurity’ released via his official Facebook page on Thursday.

Adesina claimed that Obasanjo and other critics of the president are hiding under the disguise of insecurity to prove their hatred for the Nigerian leader.

He recalled that the former Nigerian leader wrote Buhari an open letter asking the President not to seek a second term in office, saying Obasanjo has been known as an antagonist of Buhari for some years.

He wrote, “There was a story that made the rounds over the weekend. A former military leader, who also became a democratically elected President for two terms, has been reportedly mobilizing all living former leaders to pass a vote of no confidence in President Buhari, due to the county’s security challenges. It was reported that only Gen Yakubu Gowon baulked at the idea, and opted out.

“I have been waiting for the story to be debunked, but it hasn’t happened. Let’s then assume that it is true. The agent provocateur has been known as an antagonist of Buhari for a number of years.

“In fact, he publicly wrote a letter in 2018, commanding the President to “dismount from the horse,” and allow another rider to mount. The incumbent demurred. Is it not a democracy? Let’s test our strength at the polls.

“The former leader mobilized against Buhari, publicly endorsing his former deputy in office, whom he had earlier destroyed and treated like something the cat dragged in.

“The election came, and they were all beaten black and blue. How does he then think Nigerians will accept his constant haranguing of government as something actuated by positive motives? It is sour grapes, pure and simple.

“Do we have security problems? We do, just as many other countries of the world. How then do we solve the problems? That is what we expect to hear, and not playing of petty politics under the umbrella of insecurity.

“Some of the issues are historical, transcending almost every administration we have had.. They are almost as old as the country.

“Some others are relatively new; insurgency, banditry, kidnappings for ransom, and have the imprint of foreign backing, particularly in some parts of the North. What is the way out?

“For the internecine ones, it is crystal clear that no government can legislate peace. The people themselves must resolve to live together and accommodate one another.

“No group can wish the other away under indigene versus settler sentiments. We must resolve for peace. They must not only seek peace but also pursue it.”