Buhari Lauds Obasanjo For Standing Up For Democracy

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former president Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of his 83 birthday on Thursday.

Buhari congratulated Obasanjo for “a life of courage, dedication and service to Nigeria, Africa, and humanity in general.”

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, quoted the president saying , “Chief Obasanjo’s commitment to Nigerian nationhood remains outstanding and commendable, while also underscoring his sacrifices for the continent, including standing up for democracy in many countries.”

Buhari prayed to God to grant the former president longer life, good health and strength to keep rendering his services to the nation and Africa at large.

In his congratulatory message, Obasanjo’s former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, congratulated his former boss on attaining 83 years of age.

Atiku said, “No individual living or dead, has bestrode the Nigerian political space as positively and purposefully, as you have done, for good and better, in peace time and war, in times of austerity, and times of prosperity.

“It is not an exaggeration to describe you as the preeminent political colossus in Nigeria, a nation that owes so much to you. Indeed, many Nigerians would read about your birthday on their GSM devices, which are one of your legacies to the Nigerian people,” he said.

Atiku extolled Obasanjo as a leader that has great love for Nigeria, saying his commitment to the country’s unity, good governance and stability has prevented him from retiring.

“From The Congo, to South Africa, to Angola, to Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe, your democratic finger prints on the African continent is indelible. You have served and still serve as a beacon of democracy and a guardian of constitutionality.

“Nigeria owes you a debt that we cannot pay, because you led us to pay the foreign debts that we could not imagine paying. By that singular action, you planted trees for generations yet unborn.

“You hold the enviable and esteemed record of being the first African military ruler to have voluntarily, and without internal and external pressure, restored power to the government democratically elected by the Nigerian people. It was Not Your Will to be in office, but it was your will to bequeath democracy to Nigeria. And after 21 years of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has cause to celebrate your democratic credentials,” said Atiku.