Former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday reached out to president-elect Muhammadu Buhari, to congratulate him and to express his preparedness to help him proffer solution to myriad problems facing the country
“I am sure there are men and women of goodwill, character and virtue… that you can mobilize to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and re-direction that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on fast lane,” Obasanjo said in a letter to Buhari.
Both Obasanjo, 78, and Buhari, 72, are both former military rulers of Africa’s most populous nation who have gone on to become elected civilian president. “For me, the totality of 2015 elections holds many lessons for our democracy and democratization process which are both maturing.” “On this occasion, the system has been unnecessarily overheated before and particularly during the campaigns when emphasis was more on trivialities and hate, divisive, undignifying and disrespectful statements and comments rather than on pressing issues requiring attention”, Obasanjo said.
‘With so much harm already done to many national institutions, including the military, which proudly nurtured you and me, you will have a lot to do on institution reform, education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, power, youth employment, agribusiness, oil and gas, external affairs, cohesiveness of our nation and ridding our land of corruption. Your varied and wide experience will undoubtedly stand you in good stead.”
He urged the President-elect to be magnanimous in his victory and “to start binding the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaign and the evil disciples. “Once again, I felicitate with you and wish you well,” Obasanjo submitted.
