Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday in Abuja said that Nigerians must not allow anti-democratic elements whom he refereed to as hooligans to have access to power, saying it would become a dangerous weapon in their hands.
Agreeing there was no alternative to democracy, he however said that there was every tendency that anti democratic elements would abuse it. This came as former President Goodluck Jonathan revealed that the abduction of Chibok girls and lingering issue of Book Haram were used against him in the 2015 election.
But President Muhammadu Buhari, former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar hailed Jonathan for conceding defeat in the election, saying it was one singular act of kindness that largely saved Nigeria from shedding blood.
The leaders spoke at a public presentation of a book titled “My Transition Hours” authored by Jonathan which captured the life and times of his government between 2010 and 2015.
The book launch attracted the presence of former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President of Ghana, John Mahama, former presidents of Seirre Leone and Benin Republic, President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, past and serving Governors of the People Democratic Party, PDP, former Ministers of the PDP, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomole, President of the African Development Bank, ADB, Akwuwumi Adesina, former Speaker Ghali Umar N’Abba, former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, senator Godwill Akpaobio, Mr. Ibn Chanbers, former Governor Anambra State and Vice Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor Jim Nwobo, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, the representatives of the diplomatic community in Nigeria, representstives of traditional institution in Nigeria and a host of other dignitaries.
Obasanjo who was the chairman of the book launch held at the Transcorp Hilton recalled that every democrat is faced with four seasons in his life.
According to him, there were times of euphoria arising from electoral victory and fame; and times of disappointments He however said that a leader must continue to serve his people at all times. He also congratulated Jonathan on his 61st birthday.