In an apparent reaction to the open letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as sharp responses by Mr. Jonathan’s aides, former Nigerian military head of state Yakubu Gowon yesterday expressed fears over the persistent issuing of unguarded and inflammatory statements by prominent Nigerian leaders.
In an apparent reaction to the open letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as sharp responses by Mr. Jonathan’s aides, former Nigerian military head of state Yakubu Gowon yesterday expressed fears over the persistent issuing of unguarded and inflammatory statements by prominent Nigerian leaders.
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Mr. Gowon, a retired general, spoke without mentioning either the name of Mr. Obasanjo or Mr. Jonathan, but it was clear that his speech was a veiled reference to the incendiary exchanges between the two allies turned political foes.
Mr. Gowon, who holds a PhD from Warwick University in the UK, spoke during a book launch in his honor in Abuja. He said there was a need to change the tone of conversations away from things capable of creating tense atmospheres and serious crises to dialogue and resolution of differences.
He described the ongoing political conversation in the country as worrisome, stating, “In 1983 there were statements being made, expressing disappointment with the leadership and I spoke to the President at that time, President Shehu Shagari. And I said to him that he should be very careful.”
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Mr. Gowon insisted that the present tension could cause uncertainty for the country, hence the need to prevent doom. “I felt very sad with all that is happening at the moment, people at leadership positions making statements that can really create problems for the country.”
The former military ruler cautioned leaders to bury their differences, and to think about Nigerian citizens who are bound to bear the negative consequences of their power struggle. He therefore implored top political figures to reconsider their actions.
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