Former President Obasanjo says Jonathan mismanaged Nigeria

While addressing a delegation of Southwest women who paid him a courtesy call at his home in Ota, Ogun state on May 24th, former President Olusegun Obasanjo took sometime to express his displeasure at the management and administration of Nigeria under the Goodluck Jonathan led government. According to him, this administration has mismanaged Nigeria and that it will take sometime for the incoming government to correct the wrongs this administration had done over time. What he said after the cut...

"The country had been poorly managed in the last eight years and it would take some time for Buhari’s government to correct the anomalies. But I want to tell him not to be frightened. What I would say is that we should all put our minds at rest. He (Buhari) is someone that will perform but we must exercise patience because what has been destroyed for eight years cannot be undone overnight. But like the Chinese proverb which says the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, it is not only the first step (that matters) but the first step in the right direction because if you take a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the destination. 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,” he stressed, even as he expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to surmount the hurdle. The man that is coming on board has a lot of experience in terms of governance. He is not a novice in governance having ruled the country as a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985. Nigerians need to exercise patience because what has been destroyed in eight years cannot be rebuilt 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. God has provided a new opportunity for Nigeria and Nigerians and I believe God does not make mistakes. There are two things I believe the incoming President appreciates; one is that he knows that the expectations of Nigerians are high and two, that he should not be frightened by the situation on the ground.”he said