OBJ vs IBB: Oritsejafor, Okogie seek truce

Posted by admin Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Latest Politics Saturday, August 20th, 2011

NATIONAL President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and ex-President Shehu Shagari to immediately intervene to douse the tension between the two feuding past rulers, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Similarly, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Metropolitan See, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie, described as unfortunate the altercations between the two former leaders, saying the inflammatory comments by the two men were unexpected of men of their caliber.

Speaking separately, the two religious leaders expressed shock at the uncanny language employed by the two eminent citizens, wondering what has happened to the much talked about esprit de corps the military was known for.

In a telephone interview, the CAN president said: “I would never have imagined that two eminent citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could resort to such gutter language in the public and thereby ridiculing the nation as a whole. It is uncalled for and I urge the two leaders to sheathe their guns and allow peace to reign.”

Oritsejafor called on the president, Gowon and Shagari to stop the feud by the statesmen who should be guiding leaders on how to move the nation forward.

In his own reaction expressed through the Catholic Archdiocesan Director of Social Communications, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Okogie said: “I was shocked to read on the pages of newspapers the rather unruly comments the erstwhile leaders said of each other.

It is quite unfortunate and scandalous that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida have decided to wash their dirty linen in the public. It is even more disheartening to know that such drama is happening at the wake of the 70th birthday anniversary of IBB. “Ordinarily, one expects IBB to use the occasion to thank God for seeing him thus far and to make peace with Him.

I was therefore surprised when he was quoted as throwing aspersions on ex-president Obasanjo who equally responded by allegedly calling him “a fool at 70”. This is rather unfortunate and tantamount to setting bed precedents.”

-Tribunewp_posts