Festus Keyamo has refuted the claims by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on who holds the record as longest head of state in Nigeria, saying General Yakubu Gowon and not Obasanjo holds the record for the longest unbroken reign as Head of State in Nigeria, and so, Gowon is the Boss of all Bosses.
Festus Keyamo who was reacting to the remark made towards his Boss by former President Obasanjo in Ogun during his 82nd Birthday celebration lecture, where the former President was alleged to have said no Nigerian can attain the kind of achievement he has attained as President. He said he is the only Nigerian to have ruled the country the longest, both as Military Head of State and also as a civilian.
Obasanjo also alleged that even the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the just concluded Presidential election and him winning a second term, will not take away his record as the only Nigerian that has ruled the country the most, meaning he is the Boss of President Buhari and every other President whether civilian or Military.
Festus Keyamo taking to his Twitter handle, challenged former President Obasanjo, saying it is actually former Military President General Gowon that holds that record, and a man who is the Boss of everyone. He even said Gowon is the Boss of All and not Obasanjo, which is why he is why he goes into the Presidential Villa anytime, as he offers useful advice, unlike Obasanjo. He said:
“Just to set the records straight: The boss of ALL bosses today in Nigeria is Gen. Yakubu Gowon who holds the record of the SINGLE longest unbroken reign as Head-of-State. He ’s senior to ALL. And as access is always guaranteed, he goes into the Villa ANYTIME to offer useful advice”
Obasanjo took over power from late Murtala Muhammed in 1976 after his assassination and ruled till 1979 when he handed over power to a civilian President. He became a civilian President in 1999-2007 after the Military under General Abdulsalami Abubakar handed over power to civilian.
General Gowon on the other hand, became Military head of State in 1966 after the coup and was ousted in 1975 by Murtala.
From the above, we can clearly see who have ruled Nigeria the longest and who the Boss of the Bosses is…Military whether in service or retired always recognize seniority.