Malik Bashir,

This week, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State asked President Muhammadu Buhari to reply former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter where he cautioned the president not to run in 2019. sought the opinions of some Nigerians on whether President Buhari s

NPresident Buhari and Obasanjo are both very important figures in Nigeria. Each of them led this country more than once, and the fact that Obasanjo can see Buhari at any time and discuss any issue regarding the progress of Nigeria and advise him, responding to Obasanjo’s letter could be unwise. Since Obasanjo’s letter is open and meant for the public, as a sign of maturity, Buhari should allow o, he should not reply. I think the president decided not to reply because he might implicate himself. He might not be in the right frame of mind when he is replying the letter and may say things of national security that he ought not to say. I also think he is studying the situation and waiting for reactions from the Nigerian populace to see how to go about it. Besides, these politicians cannot be trusted. Today you will hear them fighting with each other and the next day they are wining and dining together. the observations, comments and responses to be made by the people, rather than start responding to the issue that can polarize the Nigerian polity. In my view, president Buhari has displayed a high sense of maturity and statesmanship for not responding publicly to Obasanjo’s open letter. If the intention of Obasanjo is to change the ruling party come 2019, then let the electorate answer him. Silence is an answer.

60, Journalist, Sardauna Crescent, Kaduna Multimedia journalist, Abuja

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo raised a lot of issues as regards President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in the last three years. To start with, Obasanjo is an opinion molder in Nigeria today, whether we like it or not, and whenever he speaks has impact and direction on the polity. I will urge the Presidency not to ignore the letter. If I’m the president’s spokesman, I will respond to the letter line by line if I’m sure of my principal’s achievements. So, keeping quiet or deliberately ignoring Obasanjo’s letter is bad judgment. They should respond.