Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, among other top dignitaries, have revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari, was told by his opponents that he would never see, enter, and occupy the Presidential Villa, as the President of Nigeria.
Recall, that Buhari, ran for the highest position in the country for four consecutive times, before defeating former incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 Presidential election, to occupy the seat of President.
Gowon spoke on Monday, October 3, at the public presentation of the President’s authorized biography, written by Professor John Paden, an American Author, with special interest in the economic and political development of Nigeria.
The former Head of State, who served as Chairman of the event, also told the audience that Buhari deserved every commendation, and criticism.
According to him, the President is a fighter, and a man of destiny, working to get things right with the economy, despite the huge challenges being faced by the country.
Also, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, joined other prominent Nigerians, including the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, at the gathering in Abuja, where they singled out the qualities of Buhari for eulogies.
Obasanjo, who said the book was a confirmation of the true person of Buhari, whom he knows about, explained that it is a must read for those who are interested in having full knowledge about the Nigeria of yesterday, and its leader of today.
“Though the book confirms what I know about Buhari, it does not reflect the definitive assessment of the President,” Obasanjo added.
Tinubu, who also served as one of the book reviewers at the event, described Buhari as a man who has lived his life on assignments, always intersected with vital moments in the nation’s history.
According to Tinubu, President Buhari in the present dispensation, was still on assignment, showing that there was no other way for Nigeria to go, but the way of democracy, no matter how difficult the path may be.
“Now, as sitting President, he is on an assignment against time, to undo the wrongs of nearly two decades of bad governance,” the former Governor of Lagos State said.
Ambassador John Campbell, a former American Ambassador to Nigeria, while reviewing the book, admitted that America had not shown enough interest in Nigeria.
He therefore, called on the American government to pay more attention, in terms of investment, and support for Nigeria to come out of its current recession.
Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Nigerian Representatives to the United Nations, in his comment on the book, said the major challenge at the moment for the government, was the expectation from Nigerians about change, and its accompanying promises.
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, who also reviewed the book, said despite losing in the courts for three consecutive times, after his petitions to upturn elections were thrown out, Buhari did not give up, and continued in the fight.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Presidents of Niger, Benin, and Equatorial Guinea. Others who attended were Vice President, Yemi, Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and Traditional Rulers.
Most Governors, including those of Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara, Delta, Imo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Niger, Kogi and Cross River States, attended the event as well.
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