Buhari ‘ignores’ ex-president on his 81st birthday

Former President Olusegun

As a tradition, Obasanjo received congratulatory messages from prominent Nigerians including former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Senate President, David Mark; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore of Osun State; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

President Muhammadu Buhari did not release any statements on Obasanjo’s birthday as in previous years.

This is contrary to what President Buhari did last year from his hospital bed in London.

Buhari had put a call through to Obasanjo to congratulate him on his 80th birthday.

ALSO READ: 5 facts about this Nigerian leader as he turns 81

President Buhari had described Obasanjo as “a true citizen of the world.”

“Those of us who served under you in various capacities recall a man with boundless energy, with razor sharp mind, and one who does not suffer fools gladly. Working with you was a school in itself, and the lessons learnt are worth their weight in gold,” Buhari said according to a transcript of their conversation.

Oversight or intentional?

While most Nigerians considered the issue as an oversight, others have argued that it was an intentional act.

“President Buhari has dozens of aides, one of them could have done even a two-paragraph statement to Obasanjo on his birthday. It’s an intentional act by the President and his handlers,” said a respondent who craved anonymity.

Obasanjo as Buhari’s critic

Former President Obasanjo had recently assumed the role of one of Buhari’s critics.

Obasanjo wrote Buhariin January 2018 advising him not to seek reelection adding that the President has failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

Shortly after the letter, Obasanjo began a political movement, aimed at reclaiming power from the current APC government in 2019.