Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday met with Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Retired) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to discuss issues bordering on the crisis in the West African regional bloc.
Addressing State House Correspondent after the meeting, Gowon said he had robust discussions with Mr President, while he clarified the rumors of him being a stumbling bloc in ECOWAS moves to resolve the regional crisis, stating that all was a miscommunication which has been adequately addressed.
“But when I came back I made a number of efforts but unfortunately I think because of his busy programme it was not possible for me to see him.
“But luckily enough, this time he was able to give me the opportunity to see him and to discuss various matters especially the issue of the ECOWAS problem at the moment which I think needs to be resolved.
“And being the surviving leader, or founding fathers of the ECOWAS I think we had to discuss some of his plans in order to see what can be done to bring the matter under control.
“So, this is what has brought me here and we had a very interesting meeting and I’m sure some of you have read report that I refused to attend ECOWAS conference isn’t it?
“Is it you that did that report? Who did that? You know trying to give that impression that it was me who was probably trying to sort of sabotage ECOWAS.”
Gowon also cautioned members of the public against judging the performance of President Bola Tinubu .
He advised President Tinubu not to worry about the criticism currently being leveled against his administration.
The elder statesman said it is too early to deliver a final verdict on Tinubu’s government.
“ Well, I was telling him that no Nigerian leader that can get there and will not have all the report of what is being said about him.
“But certainly, there’s no doubt from what hears and what one sees on the various media etc, I think the government is trying their best to deal with the various problems of the country but with Nigerians?
“Don’t you worry you will get criticised but people who get there know better than you know. I think all what one can say is that Nigerians, we’ve got to give the president time to things really done. And it is too early to sort of say absolute result, perfect result will be achieved now
“That is my opinion. I know and if I can remember, when I was fighting the war I was told I was too slow and that probably Nigeria cannot make it and that we should now seek for discussion
“Well, did we do it or not? They probably do not know the problem underground so that is where we are.
“This is my first visit to Mr President since the inauguration but I was there at the inauguration to wish him well and all success. If you remembered how busy he was after that visitors, members of government, various personalities, so it was not possible for me to be able to see him.
“After the time I had to travel abroad but from broad he was able to reach me on my birthday and after that interesting social media report that I was dead.
“No, that is not the case. I think there was a miscommunication but then it gave the opportunity for Mr President to call me so that we can discuss what I was to do.
“So that ECOWAS meeting was part of the discussion we had today. So that has been done and solved and I hope that we can probably be able to have that message done later on today at ECOWAS headquarters probably by 5pmthey will let you know,” he added.
Gowon is a retired Nigerian military leader who served as the country’s Head of State from 1966 to 1975
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