The Dein of Agbor, His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchuku(Keagborekuzi I) has stated that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is concerned about the pains of the north, hence his recent statement for better Nigeria should be listened to in the interest of all.
The monarch also called for dialogue between President Muhammad Buhari and the elder statesman as both possess the qualities to achieve peace and overcome the socio-economic challenges of the country.
The Dein, who spoke shortly after visiting Obasanjo in Abeokuta Democracy Day affirmed that remains an elder statesman that is committed to the progress, peace and unity of Nigeria irrespective of divergent views about him.
“I have known Baba now for almost 20 years. He’s the President I came to know when I came back to Nigeria in 2000. He is the President that I admire. Some people say so many things about this old man which I found to be untrue.
“Obasanjo is a man that is confident of who he is and where he is going.
“He has served as President and led in different capacities and well respected by global leaders.
“So, if somebody with this kind of experience and knowledge is saying something, the nation should listen.
The Monarch emphasized that the shared military background of both President Buhari and Obasanjo could help steer this country forward.
He said the deplorable condition of the Badagry road (which he took on his way back from Cotonou, Republic of Benin, where he was made a Chancellor of a University, the first to be conferred on any Monarch from Nigeria), the Fulanization issue, the country’s security situation and the Kano government/Emir crises made him to come over to Abeokuta to see Obasanjo for intervention.
He hinted that similar visit would be made to the President, even as he commended thePresident for reappointing one of his sons of Agbor, Godwin Emeifele, as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Let me use this opportunity to commend and thank Mr. President for giving us back for the very first time, a two-term CBN governor, Godwin Emeifele, a worthy son of Agbor. I felt it would have been very dangerous if he had been changed at this sensitive time of our economy situation. So, I thank Mr. President for that.”