Resign If You’re Not Strong Enough, Bishops Tell Buhari

In support of the protests demanding the president's resignation, some bishops have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office because of his ill health. Speaking on Friday at the second session of the Twelfth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, the Bishop of Owo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion),

Rt. Revd. James Oladunjoye, asked Buhari to resign and give room for another person to do the job. The bishop said “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.” 

 Speaking based on his personal relationship with Oladunjoye, the Bishop of the Ibadan South Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Jacob Ajetunmobi, said his counterpart at the Owo Diocese was speaking based on the experience he (Oladunjoye) had. Ajetunmobi said Oladunjoye had 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. 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.” “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.” Punch