Olusegun Obasanjo fired a fresh salvo at President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, when he looked back at the last eight years and returned a verdict that 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.
Obasanjo 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 facing him.
He said, it would take some time for Buhari’s government to correct the anomalies. But I want to tell him not to be frightened, and 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.
Obasanjo 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, 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.
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.
“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,” Obasanjo said.
He however, warned Buhari not to take Nigerians for granted as he called on him to always be honest in his dealing with Nigerians.
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.”
Obasanjo advised 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, the Iyalode of Yorubaland advised Obasanjo to continue to support the Buhari government in advisory capacity.
“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,” Lawson said.