Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and former Minister of Defence, Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), have frowned at the contents of the open letter written by former president Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan, saying it was capable of over-heating the polity and breaching the peace in the country.
The duo stated this yesterday at the 6th edition of the Abuja Festival of Praise, hosted by Mr. Danjuma at the international Conference Centre, Abuja.
In a goodwill message, Gowon, who was Nigeria’s Head of State during the civil war, cautioned Nigerians, especially the political class, against making statements capable of causing disaffection in the country, noting that it was important for leaders, past and present to always put it at the back of their minds that comments that can bring about problems will not only affect the leadership of the country but every Nigerian.
“I will like for Nigerians to please take heart to ensure that taken are not taken to do what they should not do.
“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”, he said.
“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 stressed, adding that the message became pertinent in view of recent happenings in the country.
Similarly, the host of the event, Danjuma in his goodwill message noted that even though he was copied in Mr. Obasanjo’s public letter, he had refrained from making public comments about it because 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 and I impeded 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.
President Jonathan’s goodwill message was delivered by the Minister of Police Addairs, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd).
Mr Danjuma and Mr Gowon thanks for ur words,this is what it should look like cos its not the matter of the masses reading it but the effect of it after they must have finished reading what the Mr President is been alleged of,this makes his oppositions to blab more and even say tins they’re not supposed to say to Mr President. APC is full of over ambitious personnel,they claim they want democracy,from their head-Tinubu to others,all of u have contributed immensely to the corruption that engulfed this country and left for me to say: I dont see anything wrong Mr President running for second tenure cos all of u who wish for him not to succeed will be worse than him cos u (APC) doesnt focus on anything good,rather u only make out time to tackle Mr President and looking for majority,why dont u go and prepare ur agenda for 2015 election and let the masses hear u instead of following Mr President.