President on Wednesday declared that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, owes an answer to Nigerians on his absence from the 2019 Presidential inauguration and Democracy Day celebration, adding that he was duly invited
The events which took place on May 29th and June 12 respectively , were however not attended by the former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and former Military Head of state, Abdusalami Abubakar
Only the former Military leader, Yakubu Gowon attended the May 29th inauguration ceremony to witness the swearing in of President Muhammadu Buhari for the second tenure.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the claim that he was not invited or he did not receive an invitation cannot be sustained.
Presidency, while noting that Since the claim was first made, elements in the polity that have deliberately and consistently been trying to lead the country toward polarization have cashed in on it, said they have been “throwing all manner of rubbish at the Buhari Presidency.
“The fact remains that the Secretary to the Government, Boss Mustapha wrote on May 16th, 2019 to:
“His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Agbe L’Oba House, Quarry Road, Ibara, P.O.Box 2286, Abeokuta, Ogun State.”
Presidency said the invitation was sent to Chief Obasanjo’s known forwarding address, detailing out all the major events, and the invitation cards were delivered by a reputable courier company as confirmed.
“The receipt of the letter and invitation cards as delivered by the courier company was confirmed by Mr. Taiwo Ojo, the long standing Personal Secretary to the former President.
“If, in the circumstance, Chief Obasanjo did not see or receive the letter and invitation cards as published by Vanguard newspaper (Page 16, June 16, 2019) and several other news platforms, then the former President needs to find out what is happening with his own secretariat.
According to the statement “The government office did its job diligently and should not be blemished for no reason.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
