Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has stated that he will work for the success of the current dispensation in Nigeria, noting that, the new administration has witnessed positive changes already.
Obasanjo stated this on Saturday in Abeokuta while addressing officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who paid him a courtesy visit at his hilltop residence.
Obasanjo, who also pledged support for Buhari’s administration, pointed out that “no system of government can be compared with democracy”.
He said irrespective of people’s view about him, he would continue to pray and work for the success of the present administration.
“I will work for the success of this current dispensation because there is no alternative to democracy,” he said.
He called for support for the new government, noting that, the new government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has a clear picture of what it wants to achieve for the people.
“Nigeria in the last two and half months under the current dispensation has started witnessing positive changes.
“We thank God that we have such a leader that is helping us to translate our dreams to reality.
“We must give unalloyed support to him (Buhari),” he said.
Mr. Obasanjo also reflected on the general elections, saying Nigeria’s ability to conduct the polls successfully was a sign of God’s love.
“God forbid that this present democratic dispensation should fail, because we have no other alternative and that is why I said that the present administration should succeed. There is no excuse and that is why I am so concerned about the success of this administration. Say whatever you like about me, I pray and I will work for the success of this government,” he said.
“There is no alternative to democracy, the alternative to democracy is even worse than the imperfection of democracy. I am a victim of military regime, I was put in jail meant to be killed. By divine intervention, I escaped. If there was democracy there might have been fair amount of trial.”
He said he will deliver the students’ message about fight against corruption and improved funding for education.
“There is no angel, for me there is no messiah except Jesus Christ, but there are leaders who are concerned about what is happening in this country, leaders that are so passionate about this country and who are ready to stick out their neck for this country and God has given us such an individual as the president of the country.
“What has happened is an indication that change has come and that our dreams may come true. But all that is required of everyone, young and old, youth and even students is to give unalloyed support to the government and where we believe that we should give criticism that is objective and positive we should give.
“For me these points that you have made about what is going on in this country, about corruption, about the economy, about security, we all know these and that is why some of us prepared to stick out our neck to achieve change. Because most of these things have not been addressed for the past six years how can anybody tell us that they will be addressed the next four years?
“But now we have seen a ray of hope, so I will say let us encourage where we need to encourage, let us be objective where we need to be objective, let us show solidarity where we need to show solidarity. Nobody is too young or too old to give meaningful contribution, even what you are doing here is part of it, but do not limit it here, let us take it to them, those at the Senate, House of Representatives, those at the state level, men and women of goodwill in this country,” he said.
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