OBASANJO, JONATHAN AT TAMBUWAL’S BIRTHDAY, DEMAND CREDIBLE LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA. (PHOTO).

 Obasanjo, Jonathan at Tambuwal’s birthday, demand credible leadership in Nigeria

Prominent Nigerian leaders, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as ex-vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday demanded credible leadership in Nigeria.

They spoke at an event held in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday of former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership, accountability and quality representation, which they described as critical pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.

Obasanjo and Jonathan, while speaking on how Tambuwal emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives, stressed the need for credible leadership in the country. The ex-presidents insisted that credible leadership was required to strengthen democracy in the country.

Obasanjo, who was chairman of the occasion, shed light on how Tambuwal’s leadership led to his emergence as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011 despite initial opposition by himself and then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

He explained that their position was informed largely by a desire to sustain gender inclusion in leadership following the rise of Mulikat Akande-Adeola, whom the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had backed.

“Our thinking was that if, for the first time, a woman had become Speaker of the House, she should be encouraged to remain there,” Obasanjo said, recalling the intrigues that played out at the time.

However, he explained that the members of the House of Representatives exercised their constitutional independence, insisting on Tambuwal, a decision that tested party supremacy in a democratic system.

“But your members thought otherwise, and you made your decision. And we supported your decision. Initially, even you were not sure of where we would stand, but we stood with you,” Obasanjo further disclosed.

Obasanjo described Tambuwal as a humble leader whose rise demonstrated that legislative authority ultimately rests with elected representatives.

“One thing I saw in you was humility. Greatness that does not include humility is greatness that is hollow. Your greatness is not hollow,” Obasanjo said.

Jonathan, who spoke virtually, corroborated Obasanjo’s account, admitting that there were issues and disagreements between the executive and the House over the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time.

“When he (Tambuwal) was Speaker, I was the President, and we had some disagreements,” Jonathan said. “But one thing I must give to Tambuwal is that members of the House believed so much in him.”

He said the overwhelming support Tambuwal enjoyed among lawmakers demonstrated leadership qualities that many politicians lacked.

“He held the House together. His colleagues always believed in him, and as President then, I appreciated that quality of leadership, even when we disagreed,” Jonathan added.

Also speaking at the event, former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, described Tambuwal as a humble, dependable and trustworthy leader committed to Nigeria’s democratic ideals.

According to Mark, Tambuwal’s political career reflects discipline, loyalty and service to the nation, adding that his leadership has earned him respect across party lines.

Mark added, “For me, Senator Aminu Tambuwal is a son. He is a dependable and humble leader whose contributions to our democracy cannot be overlooked.”

Tambuwal, in his response to the tributes, expressed concern that Nigeria had not attained the democratic promise envisioned by its founders and was now in desperate need of national salvation.

Tambuwal emphasised that national rescue must be collective and cannot be left to political parties alone, insisting that citizenship itself confers responsibility.

He explained that activities marking his 60th birthday were deliberately framed around sober reflection rather than a big celebration, nothing that he opted for a lecture that would confront the stark realities facing the country.

Noting that the choice was intentional and symbolic, he added, “It is all about the people of this country. It is all about good governance. It is not about me, it is not about merrymaking. It is about looking for a pathway for our country.”

Tambuwal painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s condition, stressing that the nation has drifted dangerously from the aspirations that underpinned its democratic journey.

According to him, both the living and the dead who genuinely believed in Nigeria would be deeply disappointed by the current state of affairs.

“Whether we like it or not, where we are today is unfortunate. This is not where we expected to be. Those who laid the foundation for this democracy, some alive, many of them are not living. Even in their graves are not happy with the current situation in Nigeria,” he said.

Tambuwal argued that the starting point for national recovery must be an honest admission that governance in Nigeria was fundamentally flawed.

He added, “The only way out of it is for all of us to agree that there is something fundamentally wrong with what we are doing and having as government in Nigeria today. Therefore we must resolve to work together and bail out the country. Our country is in peril and we are looking for salvation.

“I have attained this age and therefore I must also commit myself to what I had always believed in, even as a younger person. I may not be taking too much risk, even though I’m prepared to take some of these risks, but I recommit myself to working along with every Nigerian who believe in finding and enthroning good democratic governance for this country.”

Others who spoke at the event include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Adams Oshiomhole, Kayode Fayemi and Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

Also in attendance at the event were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; former Speakers of the House of Representatives Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Minister of Housing, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Aminu Masari, Udom Emmanuel, Ibikunle Amosun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Emeka Ihedioha and National Secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola.