How Buhari snubbed Obasanjo on his 81st birthday

Last updated: March 6, 2018 5:05 pm

Olufemi Soderu is a journalist at Ogun Daily Newspaper with over 15 years of professional experience in reporting. He is based in Nigeria and has worked...

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8 years ago

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo clocked 81 yesterday with congratulatory messages coming from well-wishers and critics alike.

Buhari and Obasanjo Among those who sent their goodwill were former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, David Mark, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore of Osun State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Conspicuously missing among the well-wishers was President Muhammadu Buhari, whose office has a media team with a template of congratulatory messages for eminent personalities celebrating birthdays.

One such message was sent to former Super Eagles Coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, who clocked 80 on Sunday.

Monday was rather dedicated to hosting President George Weah of Liberia and the beginning of Buhari’s trips to some troubled states.

The last time Buhari sent Obasanjo a congratulatory message was on January 21 to celebrate the ex-President’s acquisition of a PhD at the National Open University (NOUN).

Obasanjo reciprocated two days later with a blistering letter calling Buhari’s government a failure and advising him not to seek re-election in 2019.

The government responded that Obasanjo had been too busy to notice how Buhari was clearing the mess purportedly left behind by previous administrations.

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ByOlufemi Soderu

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Olufemi Soderu is a journalist at Ogun Daily Newspaper with over 15 years of professional experience in reporting. He is based in Nigeria and has worked across local, regional, and national newspapers, covering a wide range of public affairs issues. Olufemi’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience, multiple professional recognitions, and a strong commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism.