Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday expressed confidence in the ability of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to steer the ship of governance and address the myriads of problems confronting the country.
Obasanjo, who spoke while playing host to a delegation of South West Women Leaders under the leadership of Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, said Buhari is not a novice in governance.
The former president allayed the fears of Nigerians over the current state of the economy but urged the citizenry to exercise patience and allow the incoming administration to correct all anomalies.
He, however, advised the President-elect not to squander his goodwill or take Nigerians for granted in administering the country from May 29.
Lawson, who led the delegation to Obasanjo’s Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, had in her remarks observed that the country was being threatened by corruption, insecurity, high crime rate, power failure and fuel scarcity.
She likened the current situation to when Obasanjo took over the reins of government in 1999, adding that the former president succeeded in bringing back the nation from the brink.
The Iyalode of Yorubaland, who described the ex-president as an experienced leader, however, urged him not to abandon the incoming administration of Buhari.
She said: “A lot of work still needs to be done Your Excellency.
“As we all are experiencing now, our dear country is in agony from so many things: corruption, insecurity, high crime rate, no power, no fuel; everything is shutting down.
“We are aware that you also took over the reins of power of this country at a critical time and with the help of the Almighty, you were able to bring us back from the brink.
“The same goes for now.
“We therefore appeal to you not to leave this upcoming government alone.
“Though we are confident in the time proven abilities of our incoming President, General 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.”
Responding, Obasanjo said he believed in the political acumen of the President-elect in leading the country aright, urging Nigerians to cooperate with him.
He noted that the country had been poorly managed in the last eight years, stressing that it would require some time for Buhari to address the prevailing challenges.
According to him, Buhari has the experience in terms of governance having ruled the country before as a military head of state.
Obasanjo said: “When I came in 1999, there was no fuel and power.
“The situation was like this and I thought we have put that one behind us.
“The man that is coming on board has a lot of experiences in terms of governance.
“He is not a green horn.
“We have both worked together in administering, then as a military Head of State, and we did it well.
“Nigerians need to exercise patience because what has been destroyed in eight years cannot be re-built in a day.
“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.”
The former president enthused that with Buhari at the helm of affairs, Nigerians would have a new opportunity.
He, however, charged the President-elect to be honest and transparent in discharging his duties, saying the citizens have become clever and could not be deceived.
He said: “God has provided a new opportunity for Nigeria and Nigerians and I believe God does not make mistake.
“One of the good things about the incoming President is that he is not a green horn.
“There are two things I believe the incoming President appreciates: one is that he knows that the expectations of Nigerians are high and that he should not be frightened by the situation on ground.
“All he has to do is to be honest with Nigerians.
“He should not deceive them.
“He should not be an ostrich.
“He should not deceive Nigerians and not to be too clever with them.
“There is a lot of goodwill for the incoming administration from within and outside the country.
“What is important is that steps have to be taken that will not lead to the squandering of the goodwill and I believe the incoming government will be able to take care of that.”