2015: Obasanjo Again Declares Lamido Presidential Material, Condemns Chibok Girls Abduction

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo continued his open support for Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State on Monday as he declared him competent enough to become Nigeria’s president in 2015.

Lamido is perceived to be nursing a presidential ambition under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as his political associates have begun mobilizing support to actualize his bid.

Obasanjo made the declaration during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jigawa State Government to adopt a junior secondary school and a primary school in Kudai, Dutse.

He said given Lamido’s background and pedigree, he is capable of ruling the country.

His words: “Given his background, performance and credibility, he is competent. With his exposure, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with anybody.

“If it is the wish of the people, it is okay. He did not tell me he is wishing but being the wish of the people let wait and see. Based on his track record, would you say he is not competent?”

On the adoption of the school, Obasanjo said it was his way of supporting girl child education in Jigawa as well as to train and bring them up with ideals needed for good leadership.

“Our hope is to produce future leaders who would grow up with one Nigeria in their subconscious, committed and patriotic, those who understand that self is not good enough”, he said.

Obasanjo also lauded Lamido’s efforts in transforming the state and particularly gave him kudos for the construction of the “best international airport” in the country within a short time.

The former president, who has remained aloof to national issues in recent times, however, broke his silence yesterday as he appealed to the abductors of the over 200 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, to release them unconditionally because the girls were innocent and should not be made to suffer unreasonably.

“Whatever the grievances, objectives and anger of this group of people who are behind this abduction, they should not have acted on these innocent girls.

“We condemn their action and also appeal to them to release these girls unconditionally because they have important contributions for the future of this country”, Obasanjo said.

The former president extended his sympathy to parents of the girls but added that people should not be discouraged to send their female children to school.

He urged Nigerians to see what happened as a stumble and not a fall and be challenged to give their girls good education.

Obasanjo prayed and expressed the hope that the girls would be found in the shortest time possible and delivered to their parents.