By James Moses (9News Nigeria -Jos)
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the outcome some of the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Gowon, Nigeria’s wartime leader, who was head of state between 1966 and 1975, spoke at Also Villa, after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was the first visit of the elder statesman to the seat of power since May 29 last year when President Tinubu assumed office.
Speaking to reporters, Gowon, who led the country during the 1967 to January 1970 civil war also urged the Economic Commuinity of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift the sanction impoosed on Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, following military take over of power, in the interest of peace.
Gowon is one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS in 1975.
He said there was need for the Tinubu administration to achieve concrete outcomes while acknowledging that the citizens have the right to express concerns about the actions of the government
“I was telling him (Tinubu) that there’s no Nigeria leader that will not get all of these criticisms, all that is being said about him.
“Certainly, there is no doubt about all one has heard and seen from the media. I think the government is trying its best to deal with the various problems.
“All one can say to Nigerians is that they have to give the President time to get things done.
“It is too early to say the perfect result will be achieved. That is my opinion.
“At least, If I remember, I was told that I was too slow fighting the war, but probably Nigeria would not make it and that we should seek for discussion.
“Well, did we do it or not?. They probably did not know the problems on the ground then”.
The former military leader called for peace in the sub-region, saying: “Being the surviving leader among the founding fathers of ECOWAS, I think we had to discuss some of his plans (Tinubu) to see what can be done to bring the matter under control”
Gen. Gowon pleaded in a letter to ECOWAS for dialogue, as he Gowon also denied reports in some section of the media that he turned down the invitation to intervene in crisis ravaging members of the Economic Commuinity of West African States (ECOWAS).
“I came 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 the 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, 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 of ECOWAS.
“No, that is not the case, I think there was no a miscommunication but then it gave the opportunity for Mr President to call me so that we can discuss what I was to do”, the elder statesman said.
-9News Nigeria.
