Envoy tasks Obasanjo, Babangida, Danjuma, others on peace, national unity

Nigeria’s envoy to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika, has urged former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Y. Danjuma (rtd.) to promote peace and national unity.

He advised them to do everything in their powers to preserve peaceful co-existence and unity rather than make public comments capable of jeopardising the nation’s peace and harmony.

Jika, who spoke to The Guardian in a telephone interview yesterday in Jalingo, Taraba State, frowned on the way and manner in which the leaders continue to disparage President Muhammadu Buhari, especially over his recent plans to establish Ruga settlements in parts of the country.

“I think these are mature people, matured minds and responsible people that supposed to act as leaders who should be seen to be preaching peace and unity in the country,” he said.

Citing comments recently credited to Obasanjo in which he accused President Buhari of planning to Fulanise and Islamise the country, Jika noted that “Fulanisation started with former President Obasanjo stressing: “He started Fulanisation in the country.”

He argued that the process started with the establishment of the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State and the introduction of Nigeria as member of the Islamic Organisation Conference (OIC).

He added that Nigeria joined the OIC during Obasanjo’s time as President, saying since Nigeria was not Islamised then, they are still what they are and would not be Islamised under President Buhari.

“Nigerians least expected people like Obasanjo, Danjuma, Babanguda and others to make comments capable of causing crisis, because they were supposed to sit down with President Buhari and proffer solutions for the unity and development of Nigeria.

“They are not expected to create confusion because of their parochial and political interests. It is sad that these personalities are trying to frustrate President Buhari from realising his plans for the growth of the country.”

“Because they are not in the system, they are busy trying to pull him (Buhari) down. I think this is not right and that is not the type of leadership we want,” he stated.