The Lagos Legislators Forum, a body of former lawmakers from Lagos State who served from 1979 till date, has strongly condemned the statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as full of biles, selfish, inciting and pure hatred.
The body gave the condemnation in a statement jointly signed and released by its Trustees: Hon. Otunba Bushura Alebiosu; Hon. Prince Yahaya Dosunmu; Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole; Princess (Hon) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Rt. Hon. Rasheed Fashina; Rt. Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso and Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola.
“We found the former President’s comments to be full of biles, hatred, inflammatory, misleading and a clear attempt to incite division and unrest among Nigerians. Its a hateful comment from a man who after leaving the gulag of a military dictator to benefit from a democratic system which enabled him to be President for eight years and even wanted more through the back door,” the group said.
The Forum painfully recollect the ominous moves by the same man and his ilks calling on the electoral body of the country – INEC to cancel the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election even as the then APC Candidate, Bola Tinubu was maintaining an unassailable lead of the vote counts across the country.
“On equal note, it is unfathomable that a former military Head of State who took pride in handing over power to a democratically elected President in 1979 and campaigned vigorously to be elected as a civilian President under the plural democratic system in 1999, could be seen and heard condemning a system he has benefitted from and even supported his favourite candidate in the 2023 general elections, who took the electoral contest to the precipice of ethnicity and religion and fortunately, was rejected as the polls by Nigerians,” the Forum said.
The body stated that as former elected representatives of the people, they are committed to promoting unity and providing a conducive environment for peaceful coexistence in Lagos State and Nigeria. They also believe in engaging in productive dialogue and working towards positive change for the betterment of the society.
“It is disheartening to see a former leader of the nation using his position of a statesman to propagate divisive narratives. We call on Chief Obasanjo to exercise caution and responsibility in his public statements, as they have the potential to exacerbate existing tensions and hinder progress,” they said.
The Lagos Legislators Forum urged Nigerians to remain united and not be swayed by the divisive rhetoric of individuals seeking to exploit the nation’s differences for personal or political gain. Noting that now, more than ever, Nigerians need to focus on finding common ground, addressing its challenges, and working together towards a brighter future for all by joining hands with the current government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Lagos Legislators Forum will continue to prioritise the interests and welfare of our constituents and work tirelessly to ensure the socio-economic development of the country. We remain committed to upholding the values of integrity, transparency and inclusivity in governance duties and quest to achieving a virile nation,” it said.
While calling on Chief Obasanjo and other well meaning Nigerians to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building a peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous country, the body reiterated its strong condemnation of his statements and call on him to reconsider his approach towards national discourse noting that unity and progress should be the guiding principles for all Nigerians as we strive to build a better and more prosperous nation.
“The obvious reality is that, by popular mandate of all Nigerians, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President and remains the apex leader of Nigeria and as expected of every statesman and patriotic citizens, it behoves on Chief Obasanjo and other opposition leaders to join him in the task of deepening our democracy and building sustainable future for the country, not because of themselves but due to posterity in the history of this country,” the body concluded.
The Lagos Legislators Forum, a body of former lawmakers from Lagos State who served from 1979 till date, has strongly condemned the statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as full of biles, selfish, inciting and pure hatred.
The body gave the condemnation in a statement jointly signed and released by its Trustees: Hon. Otunba Bushura Alebiosu; Hon. Prince Yahaya Dosunmu; Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole; Princess (Hon) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Rt. Hon. Rasheed Fashina; Rt. Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso and Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola.
“We found the former President’s comments to be full of biles, hatred, inflammatory, misleading and a clear attempt to incite division and unrest among Nigerians. Its a hateful comment from a man who after leaving the gulag of a military dictator to benefit from a democratic system which enabled him to be President for eight years and even wanted more through the back door,” the group said.
The Forum painfully recollect the ominous moves by the same man and his ilks calling on the electoral body of the country – INEC to cancel the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election even as the then APC Candidate, Bola Tinubu was maintaining an unassailable lead of the vote counts across the country.
“On equal note, it is unfathomable that a former military Head of State who took pride in handing over power to a democratically elected President in 1979 and campaigned vigorously to be elected as a civilian President under the plural democratic system in 1999, could be seen and heard condemning a system he has benefitted from and even supported his favourite candidate in the 2023 general elections, who took the electoral contest to the precipice of ethnicity and religion and fortunately, was rejected as the polls by Nigerians,” the Forum said.
The body stated that as former elected representatives of the people, they are committed to promoting unity and providing a conducive environment for peaceful coexistence in Lagos State and Nigeria. They also believe in engaging in productive dialogue and working towards positive change for the betterment of the society.
“It is disheartening to see a former leader of the nation using his position of a statesman to propagate divisive narratives. We call on Chief Obasanjo to exercise caution and responsibility in his public statements, as they have the potential to exacerbate existing tensions and hinder progress,” they said.
The Lagos Legislators Forum urged Nigerians to remain united and not be swayed by the divisive rhetoric of individuals seeking to exploit the nation’s differences for personal or political gain. Noting that now, more than ever, Nigerians need to focus on finding common ground, addressing its challenges, and working together towards a brighter future for all by joining hands with the current government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Lagos Legislators Forum will continue to prioritise the interests and welfare of our constituents and work tirelessly to ensure the socio-economic development of the country. We remain committed to upholding the values of integrity, transparency and inclusivity in governance duties and quest to achieving a virile nation,” it said.
While calling on Chief Obasanjo and other well meaning Nigerians to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building a peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous country, the body reiterated its strong condemnation of his statements and call on him to reconsider his approach towards national discourse noting that unity and progress should be the guiding principles for all Nigerians as we strive to build a better and more prosperous nation.
“The obvious reality is that, by popular mandate of all Nigerians, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President and remains the apex leader of Nigeria and as expected of every statesman and patriotic citizens, it behoves on Chief Obasanjo and other opposition leaders to join him in the task of deepening our democracy and building sustainable future for the country, not because of themselves but due to posterity in the history of this country,” the body concluded.
