Although former President Olusegun Obasanjo has yet to comment on the outcome of the February 23 presidential election won by President Muhammadu Buhari, he was practically provoked to speak about his relationship with the President today, Tuesday.
He broke his silence on Buhari during his (Obasanjo’s) 82nd birthday ceremony held in Abeokuta, when the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, advised him to stop verbally attacking the President.
Obasanjo told the monarch, “Governance is not a family affair and democracy involves criticism and considering all sides to an issue. There is nothing personal between President Buhari and me.
“In a democracy, you can criticise a policy, a government or a leader because democracy is not a family affair.
“If it is my brother that is occupying the leadership role and he is not doing what I believe he should do, he must be criticised and that is what democracy is all about.
“I believe that Africa has no alternative to democracy, good governance, development and growth of our economy. And If that is not happening in any country, those who keep quiet about it are accessories after the fact.
“That is what democracy is all about, criticism and seeing the other side. So, if I say anybody in government in Nigeria or any government for that matter is not doing well, let that government prove that it is well. It’s not anything personal.
“So, Kabiyesi, your boss, Buhari; there is nothing personal between me and him. Just as he is your boss, I am his boss, with all due respect.”
