Obasanjo Plotting Buhari’s Downfall – Sen. Abba Ali

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief olusegun Obasanjo

Senator Abba Ali, who represented Katsina in the second republic (1979-1983), has claimed that the former President Olusegun Obasanjo is plotting to take power from President Muhammadu Buhari and give it to another person.

The Senator, according to Vanguard, described the plot by the former President as its second agenda, which he said he did it during late Yar’Adua administration which brought about Goodluck Jonathan becoming the President after Yar’Adua’s death.

The senator, in an interview with newsmen in the state, while reacting to Obasanjo’s letter to Buhari, said Obasanjo knew Yar’Adua’s health condition but brought him so that Jonathan can take over the power and added that he expected Obasanjo to meet Buhari and advise him instead of going public.

Ali said, “I think this is Obasanjo’s agenda. This is the second agenda, he is bringing. He did it during Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He knows Umaru was not well, he brought him in and then attached Jonathan to him, so that soon he will not be able to complete the tenure, so that Jonathan can take over.

“The same thing this time. He saw that Buhari will die and then. Maybe he wanted Buhari to die and then another person takes over. Personally, I think Obasanjo, this is the second or the alternative of getting rid of Buhari. Because the way and manner he (Buhari) started the war against corruption which, if goes deep, he (Obasanjo) is not even safe.

“Talk about the power, during his tenure in office, he spent over $16billion and nothing has been done. Nobody knows where the money is. He privatize the whole government properties. He sold the Nigerian Airways . He sold the rolling mills, the Ajaokuta and Katsina rolling mills. Umaru Musa wanted to buy it for Katsina, he said no. You see, he has so many things in his cupboard hidden. People respect him and kept quiet. So, I think as an elder statesman, he should be more positive criticism.

“For instance, nobody on earth can accuse Buhari of not making any progress in fight against corruption. They design the TSA, but because they know that it will not work in their favour, they refused to operate it. But Buhari introduced it. This BVN, it was Obasanjo time when they do it but they didn’t put it to use. But Buhari put it to use,” he said.

“As a leader, I think you are expected to set a good example If he is to advice his subsequent head of states. It would be more honourable for him to meet individually than to go on air, pages of newspapers and public,” he added.

The senator also said that the Northerners made Obasanjo get to power in 1999.

“People especially from this part of the country made him get to that office of President. We sympathized with him when he was taken to prison. It was us who worked for him to come back and take over the leadership of this country and not his own people. If you remember, even his election in Ogun, he didn’t win it. We unanimously teamed up together,” he said.