By Dansu Peter
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AS CAMPAIGN FOR 2019 GENERAL ELECTION COMMENCED, a former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that the nation and democracy should not be handed over to thieves and hooligans
Obasanjo made the statement at the book launch of his successor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, titled ‘My Transition Hours.’
The former President who is also the chairman of the event said, if the nation’s democracy was handed over to those categories, they could use it as a weapon against the people.
He identified four seasons in the life of a democrats or politicians: Campaign to election, when you take up office and came in with high popularity and it starts to dwindle, immediately after you leave office you lose fairweather friends, when you have weathered the storm and look up again.
“The post-office life which you are now enjoying is one that we must crave for. It’s a life of continued service to humanity,” he told Jonathan who was marking his 61st birthday.
At the last general election, Jonathan had called President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to concede defeat before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the final tally.
Obasanjo said past leaders, both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, have residual responsibilities to continue to serve people and God.
“Your birthday is being celebrated with the launch of the book. I must congratulate you for a peaceful retirement. Let me welcome you to the camp of authors.
“You came in with high popularity; that is why you were able to win elections. If you had launched this book three years ago, you wouldn’t have mustered the kind of crowd you mustered today.
“You have enjoyed a life of continued service to the nation. Because of what God has made us, we have the residual responsibility to continue to be of service to your community, your state, Nigeria, west Africa, Africa and the world.
“There is still no substitute for democracy when all is said and done. It fosters peace. It builds and does not destroy. It unifies rather than divide. But all these can only happen if democracy is in the hands of democrats. If it is in the hands of thieves and hooligans, they can abuse and misuse it as weapon. We should ensure hooligans don’t get it.
“Nigeria has responsibilities beyond its borders: for West Africa, Africa and the black race over the world.
“Like Koroma said, Nigeria has responsibility beyond its borders, for west Africa, Africa and for the black race.
“Atimes, when we do things and we get worried, but like Butrus Ghali said, when he was asked where he will like to be if not Egypt, he said Nigeria. When asked why Nigeria of all places, he said, ‘You will wake up in Nigeria and it will be as if heaven will fall but before you go to bed, it will be cool and calm. Let’s continue to make it cool and calm.”
“The post-office life which you are now enjoying is one that we must crave for. It’s a life of continued service to humanity,” he told Jonathan who was marking his 61st birthday.
At the last general election, Jonathan had called President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to concede defeat before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the final tally.
Obasanjo said past leaders, both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, have residual responsibilities to continue to serve people and God.
“Your birthday is being celebrated with the launch of the book. I must congratulate you for a peaceful retirement. Let me welcome you to the camp of authors.
“You came in with high popularity; that is why you were able to win elections. If you had launched this book three years ago, you wouldn’t have mustered the kind of crowd you mustered today.
“You have enjoyed a life of continued service to the nation. Because of what God has made us, we have the residual responsibility to continue to be of service to your community, your state, Nigeria, west Africa, Africa and the world.
“There is still no substitute for democracy when all is said and done. It fosters peace. It builds and does not destroy. It unifies rather than divide. But all these can only happen if democracy is in the hands of democrats. If it is in the hands of thieves and hooligans, they can abuse and misuse it as weapon. We should ensure hooligans don’t get it.
“Nigeria has responsibilities beyond its borders: for West Africa, Africa and the black race over the world.
“Like Koroma said, Nigeria has responsibility beyond its borders, for west Africa, Africa and for the black race.
“Atimes, when we do things and we get worried, but like Butrus Ghali said, when he was asked where he will like to be if not Egypt, he said Nigeria. When asked why Nigeria of all places, he said, ‘You will wake up in Nigeria and it will be as if heaven will fall but before you go to bed, it will be cool and calm. Let’s continue to make it cool and calm.”
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