‘Can we discuss the content, not the writer?’ — reactions trail Obasanjo’s letter to Buhari

Mixed reactions have trailed the latest letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the letter dated July 15, Obasanjo expressed concern over the high level of insecurity that has bedevilled the country in recent times.

He also called on Buhari to take decisive action to prevent the situation from escalating into a civil war.

“I am very much worried and afraid that we are on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Without being immodest, as a Nigerian who still bears the scar of the Nigerian civil war on my body and with a son who bears the scar of fighting Boko Haram on his body, you can understand, I hope, why I am so concerned,” he wrote

The content of the letter has since generated a plethora of differing reactions on social media platforms, especially on Twitter.

While a segment of users hailed the former president for highlighting key issues plaguing the country, urging critics to focus on the “content” of the letter and not the writer, others questioned his worthiness to write such letter.

“Fulani Herdsmen, Insecurity: Obasanjo has warned of a looming danger ahead in a new open letter to Buhari. Hate or like Obasanjo, he has spoken the truth,” a Twitter user said.

Here is what some Nigerians had to say:

Now, beyond our hypocritical politics in this country, Olusegun Obasanjo made some germane points in his open letter but the argument you'd be reading or hearing is "Obasanjo is not worthy of writing a letter"

Can we for once discuss the content and not the content writer?? pic.twitter.com/jUYB2AppdI

— Oye Ola Oladimeji (@OfficialOye_Ola) July 15, 2019

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Fulani Herdsmen, Insecurity: Obasanjo has warned of a looming danger ahead in a new open letter to Buhari.
Hate or like Obasanjo, he has spoken the truth!

— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) July 15, 2019

/2 statesman. Unlike his previous letters, he was mild in his writing. Digest the message, ignore the messenger. Kudos to General Obasanjo for raising four key issues.

— Oshinubi Kayode I., FASI (@Kayodeoshinubi) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo has proffered solutions to Nigeria's insecurity. He's asked for a National Conference.

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Truly if Buhari continues this way, this country is gone.

— Liquid (@Mefoh_) July 15, 2019

"Mr. President and General…."

The other time it was

"Brother Buhari"

Lol…fmr. President Obasanjo is bothering Baba with these letters.

As always, Baba will ignore

— Ofunre Iriobe (@erahomo) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo is an unapologetic coward, he's busy issuing letters, he could have rebuilt this country and set everything right but no, he is busy checkmating other ppl, typical Yoruba attitude, onye ala.

— L I O N (@_kelzezieke) July 15, 2019

Now, beyond our hypocritical politics in this country, Olusegun Obasanjo made some germane points in his open letter but the argument you'd be reading or hearing is "Obasanjo is not worthy of writing a letter"

Can we for once discuss the content and not the content writer?? pic.twitter.com/jUYB2AppdI

— Oye Ola Oladimeji (@OfficialOye_Ola) July 15, 2019

My people, my people,
Obasanjo out amiable writer has written again…

Mr Integrity may not read or may read without comprehending what is written.

After all any kidnapping without cow around the area is done by Evans.

— Mazi Onuigwe Chidi Chukwunoolu (Sirnoel) (@Chigold101) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo should stop writing letters, his letters are not making any sense.

He wrote a whole book to tarnish atiku’s image and say all sought of thrash to ruin atiku’s presidential career.

Till date majority of Nigerians believe what obasanjo said about atiku.

— QUDUS (@QdPaper) July 15, 2019

#Obasanjo is worrying about Genocide but to who? The most victims of miscreant Herdmen are Hausas. It is misleading to point it to an ethnic group who suffered less compared to the obvious. Nigerians' lives are precious but not politicised.

— Halifa Maisudan (@MukhtarBello20) July 15, 2019

People are actually bashing Obasanjo over that open letter to Buhari in which it's contents are very tailored to the current happenings till They fall victims and start shouting 'Nigeria is finished'.

I fail to see why people won't admit realities of failure till it visceral.

— etoro (@etoro111) July 15, 2019

At this point I think as a Nigerian, going out and coming in SAFE is highly UNDERRATED.

Anything can happen to anybody at anytime and nobody gives a f*ck about your f*cking existence.

If you like abuse Obasanjo, Buhari or anybody, reality is we are doomed.

Who is next?🙁

— king Ashylebs 👑 🇳🇬 (@KingAshylebs) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo, Nigeria's Alpha hit man. Dares and does, Says it as it is. Who in this world can deny his claims unless you're blindfolded by sentiments.

— Dare (@Oludarrey) July 15, 2019

#Obasanjo. OBJ letter gives me renewed hope for tomorrow. But hope was dampened, for as usual the words of his letter would be seen and read upside down by @MBuhari, @FemAdesina, @GarShehu.

— Olanegan Taiwo (@OlaneganTaiwo) July 15, 2019

President Obasanjo writes president Buhari AGAIN!

I agree with everything he said. PMB @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo needs to wake up to the state of insecurity in the land.

God help you!!!

— Jedidiah Esther (@JedidiahEsther) July 15, 2019

Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has bluntly warned that violence in the country risks spiralling out of control. In a critical letter to President Buhari he called for far more to be done to end the Boko Haram insurgency

— Bilkisu Labaran (@bilkisulabaran) July 15, 2019

If Pa Olusegun Obasanjo is part of the problem(s) of this Country, then he cannot be part of the solution.#Obasanjo

— Oluwafemi (@femmim) July 15, 2019

Olusegun Obasanjo DOES NOT want any Yoruba to be President in his LIFETIME. That is ONE of the reasons for his letter.

It's about 2023 Politics.

— Ezeaka Chidozie Ishola Buharideen (@Ezeakachidozie) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo's letter this tiem, unlike previous ones is most accurate, timely and very patriotic.

The President is behaving as though everything is fine while Bandits re spreading tentacles around the country to wreck havoc.

— TomiwaSage (@TomiwaSage) July 15, 2019

I will rather take Pharaoh as role model than take Obasanjo as role model…
God forbid bad thing. Even the devil is still learning evil from Obasanjo.

— Success Idowu (@idowu553) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo was a complete state man in this latest letter to @MBuhari . I hope D frank observations are seen for what it is & no meaning imported by our Cabals feasting from d crises. Military industrial complex are those profiting from war & strife your guess is as good as mine

— kenny Okolugbo (@kennyokolugbo) July 15, 2019

In the last 24 hours, Tinubu and Obasanjo have agreed on one thing – illetracy, poverty and unemployment leads to crime and criminality.

— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) July 15, 2019

Obasanjo’s letter was devoid of politics,hate or bile. He identified the conspicuous issues we are facing on insecurity and suggested solutions.
That’s the hallmark of a statesman.
No hypocrisy
Straight to the point
Hopefully Femi ADESINA and Garba Shehu will sit this one out

— Babajide Fadoju (@BabajideFadoju) July 15, 2019