A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on Thursday faulted calls by some politicians on President Mohammed Buhari to resign over his ill-health.
George faulted the calls while speaking with some journalists in Lagos, describing them as wrong and inflammatory.
He said it was inhumane of anyone to pressure the president to step down from office just because he was having some health challenges.
George pointed out that it was only the president and his managers who could decide when he was incapacitated, adding those making the calls are taking politics too far.
He said though he had always been in different camps with the president, he was always praying for his quick recovery, urging all Nigerians, irrespective of political allegiance, to do the same.
“You see, I don’t support the call by some people that the president should resign because of his health.
“Even though I have always been on different camps with the president, I do not think it is right for anybody to have evil thoughts towards him.
“He is ill and we can only wish him good health and pray for him; calling him to resign because of this is getting beyond politics. He is a human being and only God knows the appointed time for everyone.
“The holy book says we should always pray for people in authority; I think the president deserves everyone’s prayers, not comments that could even outrage some people and create unnecessary tension, “he said.
According to the former military administrator of Ondo State, Nigeria is experiencing some challenges which require everyone to join hands to overcome.
He said the predilection of some people to make inflammatory comments along ethnic and religious sentiments would escalate the tension in the land.
While saying people have the right to speak up against marginalisation by the Nigerian state, he such agitations should not be fashioned in a way that suggested secession.
George said as a stateman who had an unwavering belief in the non-negotiability of the unity of Nigeria, he would never support the disintegration of the country.
He decried the falling nationalism and patriotism among Nigerians, which he said was making people identify more with tribes and religion rather than the country.
The PDP chieftain said it was unfortunate that the good idea of restructuring was being given all sorts of colourations to suit ethnic and regional sentiments.
He said the only form of restructuring that he would support is the one that would make the centre unattractive and empower states to develop faster.
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