Olusegun Obasanjo
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and former Minister of Defence, Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), have flayed former president, Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent 18-page open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.
They described the letter as being capable of sparking anarchy in the country.
The duo stated this yesterday at the 6th edition of the Abuja Festival of Praise, hosted by Danjuma, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
In his goodwill message, Gowon warned Nigerians, especially politicians, against making inciting comments capable of breaching the peace of the country, noting that, it was important for leaders, past and present to be careful not to say things that can bring about problems, since all Nigerians will suffer if there is no peace in the country.
“Let all Nigerians, leadership and followership make sure that we do not make utterances or say things that can really create problems for the leadership and for the country because if that happens, if we listen to such utterances, there shall be no peace and we will be the sufferers for it.
“I want all of us as faithful to bear in mind that this country needs peace and this peace can only come from all of us, the leadership, past and present and from all of us. We must play our part to ensure that there is peace in the country,” he emphasised, stressing that the message became pertinent in view of recent happenings in the country.
Similarly, Danjuma in his goodwill message noted that even though he was mentioned in the letter, he had refrained from making comments to the press about it, insisting that he has unfettered access to the president and will speak with him “face to face” if he has anything to say to him.
“The press have been after me, they want me to react to what Obasanjo said about Mr President and I told them that I have complete access to the president and if I have anything to say to him, I will do so face to face.
“These are very difficult times and we must be careful, especially as leaders, what we say in public,” he added.
Guests at the event were thrilled by performances from different groups. Some of the performances were by the mass choir comprising Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO), All Saints Choir, Samaru, Zaria, Cathedral Youth Choir, Minna, St. Matthew’s Church Choir, Maitama, Abuja, and Festival Orchestra, Abuja, while guest performances were by The Amiables, Lagos, J-Cleff Chorale, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Mt. St. Gabriel’s Boys’ Choir, Makurdi and St. Luke’s Catholic Church Choir, Kubwa.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the event were former president, Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former FCT Minister, Gen Jeremiah Useni (rtd), Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, former Adamawa State governor, Boni Haruna, former Edo State Governor, Osunbor Osaremen and a representative of the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
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