Tony Momoh: Obasanjo, Shagari, Yar’adua, Jonathan never wanted to be President

Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information on Monday said only President Muhammadu Buhari became president of Nigeria by choice, adding that other past presidents in the country only came into office by accidents.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, Momoh said past presidents such as Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan never wanted to be presidents but were picked by some powerbrokers for the position.

According to Momoh, Buhari Nigeria more than any other politician in Nigeria and that was why he joined politics in order to better the lives of the citizens.

“Buhari understood Nigeria more than any other politician in Nigeria. That being the case, he knew what Nigeria wanted before he came into politics. When he came into politics in 2002, he didn’t come to become Prime Minister or Senator, he wanted to be President of Nigeria”.

“It is a historical fact that Tafawa Balewa wanted to be a broadcaster, but he became a Prime Minister. Shehu Shagari wanted to become a senator, he became a President. Obasanjo was praying to leave prison, he came out and became President”.

“Umaru Yar’Adua had health problems, he wanted to lecture after leaving as governor, he became President. Goodluck Jonathan was the governor of Bayelsa State, they came to carry him, he didn’t know where they were going to but they took him to Abuja and said ‘You are the Vice-President’.

“Later, his principal (Yar’Adua died and he became the President. Buhari became President in 2015 after failing in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He was the most prepared for the position. He was the one who came into government because he wanted to be President” he said.