A pro-democracy group, Citizens Action for Good Governance, has faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka over their claim that Nigeria was fast disintegrating under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the group’s National Coordinator, Nazir Galadanci, emphasized that the Buhari-led administration has brought inclusiveness of Nigerians in participatory governance, and a sense of belonging.
He, therefore, dismissed Mr Obasanjo’s claim, describing it as “extreme and unchecked malice and bitterness” against the President Buhari-led administration.
Mr Galadanchi maintained that Mr Obasanjo’s “antagonistic stance” must have been prompted by his inability to tele-guide President Buhari to do his bidding and accede to his selfish and self-serving desires to the detriment of the country.
“How can Obasanjo say Nigeria is more divided than ever? He has been the godfather who did not mean well for the progress of the country based on his king-making role that gave Nigerians some leaders who were not ready for leadership because he wants to control the affairs of Nigeria from his sitting room,” Mr Galadanchi lamented.
On Mr Soyinka’s statements, Mr Galadanchi said: “It is also unfortunate and disheartening to hear from the respected Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, making statement in support of Obasanjo that Nigeria near extinction.
“This is condemnable and unacceptable because these statements from Soyinka are basically to incite Nigerians and make the nation lawless.”
The group, therefore, threw its weight of support behind the President Buhari-led administration in its quest to ensure the socio-economic development of the country.
“Nigeria is not in the state of disarray nor facing extinction as he [Obasanjo] claimed because the Buhari-led administration has done what other administrations could not do for the past 21 years of democracy in Nigeria.
“The Buhari/led administration has fought corruption to a level that the international community is applauding effort of the government.
“Those that made themselves untouchable while they were neck deep in corruption have been made to face the wrath of the law.
“On security, this government has put in enormous resources to fight all forms of terrorists to standstill and the effort on this is glaring for Nigerians to see and testify.
“There is massive infrastructural development ongoing across the country, despite the dwindling prices of oil and the economy has witnessed enormous growth from the diversification effort by the Buhari led administration.
“The Buhari led administration has brought inclusiveness of Nigerians in participatory governance, and a sense of belonging.
“It is therefore, most strange that Obasanjo who presided over a dictatorship that thrived on illegalities, high handedness, intolerance of opposing views and divide and rule would now have the temerity to assume the rule of social critic.
“The truth is that Obasanjo is a very poor example of fine leadership and good governance. His track record is a litany of abuse of power, unrestrained arrogance, contempt for the rule of law, endless scandals, lost opportunities and unbridled hypocrisy.
“The nation can certainly ill afford his needless showmanship and grandstanding. He should leave PMB alone,” Mr Galadanchi stressed.
