SAN FRANCISCO, August 12, (THEWILL) – Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ibadan South, Rt. Rev’d Jacob Ajetunmobi, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office over his state of health, adding that should he refuse to do so, the President should not contemplate seeking second term in 2019.
He stated this on Friday at the second session of the Twelfth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, after the Diocesean, Rt. Revd. James Oladunjoye, asked Buhari to resign and give room for another person to do the job.
The Bishop of Owo Diocese said the situation whereby the President had spent several months abroad had not helped the country, adding that it was wrong to conceal his (Buhari) health status as he was no longer a private citizen.
“We thank God for the President and for the way he had been ruling according to the law, but there is something wrong that we want him to address.
“He has been ill for so many months in his tenure and so, is it not proper for the country to know his health condition as he is no more a private personality?
“He is public property and if he is not strong enough to continue as the leader of this country, it is better for him to resign so that another qualified individual can take up the office legitimately,” Oladunjoye said.
Ajetunmobi, who spoke based on his personal relationship with Oladunjoye, said his counterpart at the Owo Diocese was speaking based on the experience he (Oladunjoye) had.
The Ibadan South Diocesean said Oladunjoye has had accidents which forced the latter to consider early retirement, adding that if a cleric could be forced to retire early because of his health, the President should also be able to do so.
He however advised that in an event Buhari decides not to resign, the President, who had been on health leave in London since May 7, should not contemplate running for the second term.
Ajetunmobi said, “He (Oladunjoye) had separate accidents that led to him suffering from a broken hand. He had taken treatment in Nigeria but had to travel to the United States for more treatment. He is now being forced to retire early before turning 70 as a result of that.
“He is speaking from personal experience that if health challenge will not permit him to function properly in his position, he would rather resign.
“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo should be able to carry on with the administration of Nigeria. Buhari was one of those calling for late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s resignation then, but now, he knows that what goes around comes around. We should be careful what we wish others.
“Here, I am a bit more radical in my opinion, but it is much more complex than we think. There are underpinning theological positions involved.”
While insisting that Buhari should not consider running for a second term, Ajetunmobi said, “Buhari has about one more year to spend as President, but he should not think of coming back for a second term. The All Progressives Congress should think along and restructure its leadership or be ready to fail in 2019.”
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