Segun Atanda/
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has insisted that he would continue to criticise President Muhammadu Buhari, because democracy is not family affairs.
Obasanjo also described himself as Buhari’s boss, noting that the issues between them were not personal.
Obasanjo stated this today while responding to remarks by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, during his 82nd birthday celebration held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Alake had advised Obasanjo to stop attacking Buhari as he clocks 82, adding that he was never comfortable whenever he (Obasanjo) verbally attacked Buhari and pleaded with him to stop.
Alake, who was a Principal Staff Officer to Major-General Tunde Idiagbon during the military administration of Muhammadu Buhari between 1983 and 1985, also told the audience that he had always told Obasanjo to leave his boss alone.
Obasanjo stated: “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 criticise 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. And If that is not happening in any country, those who keep quiet about it are accessories after the fact.
“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, 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 has two terms, he will not have almost four years of military rule. So, I have been there longer than any Nigerian would ever be.
“So, when I say something, I know what I am talking about. Kabiyesi, any time 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 that his boss wants him to do.”