By Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Emman Ovuakporie & Gbenga Oke

Mixed reactions, yesterday, greeted the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) over the perceived drift in the affairs of the nation.

President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd)

Buhari had in a statement issued on Monday called President Jonathan to rise above partisanship to address the drift in the nation, which he claimed was politically staged to uplift the fortunes of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The President had in his reaction quipped that Buhari was not qualified to criticise anybody on issues of impunity given what he claimed as the former head of state’s past as a military ruler.
Responding to the development yesterday, the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere and the spokesman of the Northern Delegates to the National Conference, Mr. Anthony Sani called on the country’s leaders to be cautious in their utterances and avoid partisanship.

First civilian governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed in separate reactions, however, praised Buhari for being forthcoming on what they claimed was the reality on ground.

Members of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the House of Representatives on their part threw their weight behind Buhari, saying the nation was sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

Buhari is right— Mohammed
Mohammed said: “It is worrisome that the presidency has started harassing the opposition governors through bribing their various state Houses of Assembly and thereby making them to succumb to the presidency against their own will.

“What Buhari said is true and I make bold to say that the Presidency and its handlers cannot deny that they do not have anything to do with all impeachments. Nigerians cannot be fooled that it all gimmick for PDP to have upper hand in the 2015 elections.

“All their actions point to the fact that PDP is panicking as we move towards 2015 and they are conniving with INEC to perpetrate evil against the opposition while they want Nigerians to believe  that its internal wrangling within the opposition ranks.”

Buhari’s statement justifiable— Musa
Musa said: “I think Buhari’s statement is justifiable, given the recent tendencies in the country where some states say they will give people from a particular part of the country pass before they can move about.
“This is uncalled for and those who know the implication of this, should come out and say it because the constitution of Nigeria provides the right of every Nigerian to live and work anywhere in Nigeria.

“If you say you will prevent the free movement of Nigerians, there will definitely be anarchy and it is the Federal Government that should call the states who are doing that to order.”

Be cautious— Afenifere
In its reaction, Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere appealed to the present crop of leaders to be cautious in their remarks in order not to heat up the polity.
Speaking with Vanguard, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “There is tension in the country and leaders should make statements that should reduce tension and not to heighten it.

“The political leaders should be careful of what they say not to overheat the polity and so there is need for caution of what they say to Nigerians.
“Criticisms are legit but such things should not be towards overheating the polity.”

‘Avoid partisanship’
Similarly, spokesperson of Northern Delegates Forum, Mr. Anthony Sani, said: “As far as Nigerians are concerned, they expect the two leaders to provide order and direction to Nigerians and Nigeria, especially where the status in the country is concerned.

“This is because they are statesmen who cannot afford to be partisan all the time and in all issues. So they should use the platform, where they meet, to consider matters of national importance and resolve issues in the larger interest of the country.”

Professor A. B. C. Nwosu, former Minister of Health, said: “I was shocked that this statement will come from Buhari who usually has few words on a matter that is simply a constitutional.
“I think that given the situation we have in the country right now,he should have been more temperate in his language and he should have been more measured in his approach.

“Lest we forget, Mr. Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor was impeached and we didn’t know where the lawmakers were sitting at the time of the impeachment.
“At that time, the national leader of APGA, the party in power in Anambra, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was alive. He did not inflame passions.”