Abubakar, in a statement
issued on Wednesday, commended the contributions of Obasanjo to the development
of Nigeria, the African continent and humanity.
Nigeria’s former Vice
President, Atiku Abubakar has said that no individual, living or dead has
dominated the nation’s political space like ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said that no individual
living or dead had bestrode the Nigerian political space as positively and
purposefully as Obasanjo had done, “for good and better, in peacetime 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 will read about your birthday on
their GSM devices, which are one of your legacies to the Nigerian people.
“Your love for Nigeria and
commitment to her unity, good governance and stability have prevented you from
retiring, a sacrifice that my family and I deeply appreciate. From the Congo to
South Africa to Angola to Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe, your democratic
fingerprint on the African continent is indelible. You have served and still
serve as a beacon of democracy and a guardian of constitutionality.
Abubakar said Nigeria owes
Obasanjo a debt that Nigerians could not pay. He said that the former president
led Nigeria to pay its foreign debts that the citizens 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.
“Happy birthday President
Obasanjo. You are beloved now and forever,‘’ said Abubakar.
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