Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described himself as President Muhammadu Buhari’s boss who is free to criticise him.
The ex-president made this known at his 82nd birthday celebration at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta on Tuesday, while responding to a comment by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, that he (Obasanjo) should stop criticising Buhari now that he is 82.
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Obasanjo said that he has nothing personal against Buhari, noting that his criticism of the president is in Nigeria’s interest.
He said, “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 I.
“In a democracy, you can criticize 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.
“We have none. And If that is not happening in any country, those who keep quiet about it, they are accomplices to the crime.
“That, in a democracy ,you criticise a policy of a government is not a family affair, even, if he is my brother that is there and he is not doing the way he should do; he must be criticised.
“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 (referring to Alake of Egbaland) 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.
“Now, the point is that I have been in that position longer than any Nigerian will ever be there. That’s true.
“If any Nigerian comes in and have two terms, he will not have almost four years of military rule. So, I have been there longer than any Nigerian would ever be there.
“So, when I say something I know what I am talking about. Kabiyesi (Alake) anytime you say, “leave my boss alone,” I say “he is your boss”.
“But I am also his (Buhari) boss. So, you might also ask your boss (Buhari) to leave his boss alone or do what is right than his boss wants him to do”.
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