Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has claimed that people who once insulted him have now become his praise singers.
He stated this on Wednesday while joining the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde to inaugurate the new Ibadan Central Bus Terminal at Iwo Road, a facility comprising two mega bus stations with waiting halls, ticket spaces, eateries, public conveniences, open vehicular parking, a power-generating house, water reservoir, elevators, and escalators.
Obasanjo urged Makinde not to be discouraged by criticisms of his administration, saying those who abuse leaders today often return to praise them later.
Describing Makinde as an Omoluabi, Obasanjo advised him to remain focused on ongoing developmental efforts, asserting, “Those abusing you today would praise you tomorrow. I was also abused too, and they have come back today to praise me. That is how it is.”
He praised the governor for making Ibadan livable through people-centered projects and noted that the construction of the terminals at Ojoo, Challenge, and Iwo Road would ease movement for residents. Obasanjo said the developments in Ibadan benefit the wider South-West region.
He added, “Makinde, you have done so well. You are making Ibadan livable and you have been trying to make everyone living in Ibadan and the state comfortable. Ibadan, in population, is the third largest city in Nigeria but in land area, it is the largest.
“So, to move from point A to B in Ibadan is longer than moving from point A to B in the other two cities said to be larger than Ibadan in population, Lagos and Kano. If you are going to make it convenient for people to live and trade in Ibadan, there must be availability of transportation, and that is what these bus terminals are meant for.”
Obasanjo also commended Makinde personally, saying, “You invited me three days ago to this event; I didn’t hesitate. I came here because you are an Omoluabi. Before anyone can invite me to an event three days to the time, he must be someone I hold in high esteem. For you, if you call me a day to the event, I will come. You resemble me in a lot of ways. When people tell me Makinde is doing this infrastructure and all that, I always tell them why won’t he do it? He is an engineer; a professional engineer, who knows how to fix things. But you have added another feather to the cap, you are now also into politicalengineering.”
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]