Zamfara State’s immediate past governor, Abdulaziz Yari, tongue-lashed Olusegun Obasanjo over the latest open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari from the former Nigerian president.
Mr Obasanjo issued a letter to Mr Buhari on Monday warning him of national security and unity problems.
Mr Obasanjo accused the president of negligence and failed to face the country’s current challenges.
But Mr Yari lampooned Mr Obasanjo and unnamed “Yoruba leaders” for latest criticism of Mr Buhari’s handling of security problems in a declaration by his media assistant, Ibrahim Dosara.
The former governor charged Mr Obasanjo with using the chance to pour “encapsulated anger” on Mr Buhari, stating the former president does not have better records.
“It was on record that President Olusegun Obasanjo superintended the massacres in Zaki Biam in Benue State and Odi in Bayelsa state.
“The murderous Sharia riots of Kaduna occurred during his tenure. It was also during his regime that the seeds of carnage on the Plateau was planted. He seems to have forgotten all these ‘remarkable’ feats he recorded as president. This is apart from the high profile assassinations of a serving minister, Bola Ige, and opposition stalwart Harry Marshall,” he said.
He said it was “justifiable” to express outrage at the murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere “the sensationalisation of the murder by the media, which quickly labelled the criminals as Fulani herdsmen”.
Mr Yari, the Nigerian Governors ‘ Forum (NGF) chairman, lamented that “prominent Yoruba political leaders used the opportunity to make some divisive comments and called for the dismemberment of Nigeria over the murder of the lady.”
He said Nigeria was not the only nation facing safety problems, adding that by passing blames the issue would not be solved.
“My keen observation of recent political development across the country is pointing to a series of needless efforts by some elements across the country aimed at destroying our rich diversity and heritage for obvious political reasons.
“These efforts are targeted at reducing the country into the feckless North-South divide, first-class/second-class citizens, or Muslim/Christian dichotomy. This is indeed worrisome and pointless at this time of Nigeria’s history and stage of development,” the former governor noted.
Mr Yari, who was accused of mismanaging Zamfara funds while he was governor, encouraged leaders to prevent remarks capable of deepening the country’s divisions.
He did not state how Zamfara, originally regarded one of Nigeria’s most peaceful countries, became a killing field during his tenure.
He, however, called on political leaders to eschew bitterness.
“It is high time for all political leaders to eschew bitterness and avoid using our fellow citizens as guinea pigs in our ambitious political laboratories.”
He also called for help for security organizations to allow them to efficiently execute law and order maintenance obligations.