Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says he is President Muhammadu Buhari’s boss and will not stop criticising him.

The former leader said he had nothing personal against Buhari and his government.

Obasanjo was yesterday replying the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, who implored him to play down attacks on Buhari. The two spoke at the 82nd birthday anniversary celebration of Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo is yet to congratulate Buhari on his re-election.

The Alake, who served as a military officer during the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari between 1983 and 1985, referred to Buhari as his boss, telling Obasanjo that: “At 82 years of age, I think you should keep your sword more  rather than use it always.”

Responding, Obasanjo said he remained Buhari’s boss and could criticise his government.

“If I say anybody in government in Nigeria or any government for that matter is not doing well, let that government prove that it is well. It’s not anything personal. So, Kabiyesi (referring to Alake of Egbaland), your boss, Buhari, there is nothing personal between me and him. Just as he is your boss, I am his boss, with all due respect.

“Now, the point is that I have been in that position longer than any Nigerian will ever be there. That’s true. If any Nigerian comes in and has two terms, he will not have almost four years of military rule. So, I have been there longer than any Nigerian would ever be there.

“So, when I say something, I know what I am talking about. Kabiyesi (Alake), anytime you say, ‘leave my boss alone’, I say ‘he is your boss’. But I am also his (Buhari’s) boss. So, you might also ask your boss (Buhari) to leave his boss alone or do what is right that his boss wants him to do.”

The guest speaker at the event, who is a South African freedom fighter, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, in his lecture titled “Colonialism, Apartheid, Freedom and  South Africa Rising”, identified corruption as the biggest challenge facing the African continent.