Former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Tam David West has revealed he is a die hard supporter of President Muhammad Buhari and that is why he is yet to comment on the health of the president.
Speaking to SUN, West said, “People have been calling me, they know that I am a die-hard Buhari fan and nothing would change me. My support for Buhari is based on very serious grounds.
“People have been worrying me that since this controversy of his health started I have made no formal statement. They wanted to know why I have kept quiet. Everybody knows I am a Buhari person and I have written so many things about either General Buhari or President Buhari.
“My position is this; I have not made a formal statement because the whole thing is so silly. I don’t waste my time on silly things. Nobody enjoys being sick. Being sick is natural.
“So, people that are behaving as if Buhari enjoys being sick are exaggerating his condition. I am briefed about his health about three times directly weekly.
“So, when I see all these theatrics or melodrama, I say it’s a waste of time. I challenge any of them to tell me that they love Nigeria more than Buhari. None of them has given their lives to Nigeria. Buhari has put his life on the line because of Nigeria. I challenge his antagonists to tell me they love Nigeria more than he does. Buhari has done more for Nigeria than all of them combined; none of them risked his or her life for Nigeria.
Speaking on the recent anti-Buhari protests, David West said, “I am surprised that those I expected to know better about real governance have not read the constitution. Let them go and look at the constitution, whether there is a provision for the president to resign. Those telling the president to resign are stupid and ignorant because they don’t know their constitution.
“How can you be demonstrating on behalf of Nigeria when you don’t even know the fundamental laws of Nigeria? The constitution is the fundamental document of the country. I expect every citizen of the country, whether illiterate or literate, in government or not, to know the constitution because that is the fundamental law that guides them.
“The sovereignty of the country belongs to the people.
If those protesting have read the constitution, they will know that what they are doing is stupid because the constitution is clear on when the president can be declared incapacitated.
“First, a two-third majority of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) must say he is incapacitated. Not only that, then a panel of five doctors, including his own personal doctor, would be set up to declare the president incapacitated.
So, you can demonstrate and stay in Abuja for one year, you cannot change it. Buhari has not violated the constitution.
On Charly Boy’s recent protest he said, “I know Charly Boy very well. His father, Justice Oputa was my principal. He knows very well that I was close to his father. When his father launched a book in Lagos, he invited me and I went. I respect Justice Oputa. But what Charly Boy has done, if his father was alive, he would caution him, if he would obey him.
“It’s their right to demonstrate but a demonstration must fulfill three conditions. First, there must be a good cause to demonstrate. Two, majority of the people must support the demonstration. Three, you must have a target.
“I believe the protesters have a good cause to be concerned that their president has been away for long. I respect their concern. Many people share that concern. But if that concern goes to the street for demonstration, you have to be sure that you will have a mammoth crowd of supporters. So, as much I respect their cause, I think the demonstration was over-dramatized.”