‘The only thing lacking In Obasanjo’s statement to Buhari Is an apology to Nigerians’ – Reuben Abati

Reuben Abati, a former Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity shared his thoughts on a statement written by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, in which he criticised the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abati who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night said the statement reflects certain levels of consensus within society.  He, however, noted that the only thing that was not mentioned was an apology to Nigerians especially as the former president was one of those who voted for the ‘change’ administration.

He also said the there was no better time for him to respond to the state of the polity than now.

“It’s probably the most important subject of the day. Its been the main subject that everyone is discussing and that should be understandable considering the stature, the capacity, the influence of the author of the letter. Before now, many Nigerians had been waiting on the former president Olusegun Obasanjo to say something about this administration and he has chosen his time very well to come out and do a full assessment of the administration so far” Abati said.

“If you look at that letter it drips with frustration, disappointment, even regret. The only thing president Obasanjo does not do in that letter is to apologise to Nigerians but he admitted that he was part of the efforts to bring about change in 2015 and he not only supported the incumbent president, he also voted for him and now he says he is disappointed.

“The letter probably reflects certain levels of consensus within society because you know of late, a lot of people have been saying some of the things that president Obasanjo said in that letter but coming from Obasanjo, those statements acquire a special significance and resonance both locally and I believe, internationally” he said.