Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (retd), a former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, and a former governor of the defunct Western State, Maj.-
Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (retd), a former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, and a former governor of the defunct Western State, Maj.-Gen. David Jemibewon, (retd) have said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should not be castigated or lambasted for his comment on ‘Fulanisation’ and ‘Islamisation’ of Nigeria.
Although they said they would not comment on Obasanjo’s statement, they advised Nigerians to respect Obasanjo, adding that the former President had a right to his opinion. They both stated that Obasanjo was in a vantage position to hold his opinion, having been a two-time leader of Nigeria, as Head of State and two-term President in Nigeria’s democracy.
Bamigboye said, “This is the problem we have. Somebody who is of the standing of Obasanjo, people should respect his opinion and statement. He could not have made that statement anyhow. For God’s sake, weigh it and then see reasons instead of castigating him. This is the way I look at him. This is a former Head of State and respected elder statesman; I think people should respect his opinion instead of castigating him.
Jemibewon who is also a former minister for Police Affairs said, “I think it is unfair to castigate an elderly person who is respected, in fact, beyond this country. I think it is unfair. People should be able to express their views. If you disagree, just simply say you disagree, rather than people castigating anybody. If people claim he has no right to his personal opinion, who then will have right? As long as you do not insult people, everybody is entitled to his view on any matter. So he has expressed his view and, of course, anybody can subscribe to his view or disagree.”
On his reaction to Obasanjo’s comment, he said, “For me, I do not think I have any comment about his views or what he has expressed. I know that certainly, the situation in this country can be better, but it is very possible that when you think that certain people are involved in certain things, they may not all be involved. So I do not want to express opinion one way or the other but everybody has right to his opinion and views as long as it is not insulting.”
Punch
