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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully (873 Views)
Obasanjo Bows To Greet The Alaafin Of Oyo During A Visit To His Palace. Photos / Six DIG To Be Retired As Arase Bows Out (Vanguard) / Meet The World Poorest President (2) (3) (4)
World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by miftah: 2:34pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
Can you imagine a Nigerian president riding in 28-year-old VW Beetle? Or living in his own house, forgoing the heaven-like Aso Rock? Or giving 90% of his salary to charity? Or — the most difficult one — having to leave office quietly when he could have manipulated state institutions to give him another term in office, given his popularity? It may never be replicated in Nigeria, but it has happened in Uruguay, where the outgoing president, Jose “Pepe” Mujica, has broken all records in presidential modesty. A former guerrilla who spent 13 years in jail, Mujica was elected president in 2010 for a five-year term. The Uruguayan constitution forbids an incumbent from seeking re-election, so he had to leave office on March 1, 2015 despite his street popularity. Of course, he made no attempts to change the constitution. The 79-year-old socialist has handed over to his predecessor and successor — Tabaré Vázquez, who is now on his second term because of Uruguay’s peculiar law. In an interview with BBC, Mujica recalled the years he spent in detention, two of them lying at the bottom of an old horse trough. “I was imprisoned in solitary [confinement] so the day they put me on a sofa I felt comfortable!” Mujica joked about his status as president. “I’ve no doubt that had I not lived through that I would not be who I am today. Prison, solitary confinement had a huge influence on me. I had to find an inner strength. I couldn’t even read a book for seven, eight years – imagine that!” But you are not likely to say that of any Nigerian politician who had been to jail before coming to power – they seem to be overwhelmed by the flow of cash as soon as they assume office. Yet, Mujica cannot understand the global fascination with his modest lifestyle. “This world is crazy, crazy! People are amazed by normal things and that obsession worries me!” he said. “All I do is live like the majority of my people, not the minority. I’m living a normal life and Italian, Spanish leaders should also live as their people do. They shouldn’t be aspiring to or copying a rich minority.” He will also be remembered for stabilising the country’s economy and promoting equity and social justice. Neither will he be forgotten for legalising abortion and marijuana in a country with Catholic majority. He said: “Marijuana is another plague, another addiction. Some say it’s good but no, that’s rubbish. Not marijuana, tobacco or alcohol – the only good addiction is love!. “But 150,000 people smoke [marijuana] here and I couldn’t leave them at the mercy of drugs traffickers. It’s easier to control something if it’s legal and that’s why we’ve done this.” On his retirement plans, he is not going to be typical. “I have no intention of being an old pensioner, sitting in a corner writing my memoirs – no way!” he said. Don’t expect him to write “My Watch” in a hurry then. http://www.thecable.ng/worlds-poorest-president-bows-gracefully 2 Likes
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Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by alberto2k(m): 2:43pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
Jose mujica Got alota respect for this man Iswear! May God continue to keep him in Good health |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by yakubuomowumi: 2:44pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
APC LIE LIAR MUHAMMAD APC WITCHCRAFT BROOM CARRYING PARTY APC CAUSING FUEL SCARCITY LIKE THIER MAYHEM. The Schizophrenic demented sick Pa Buhari is a terrorist, deranged old brainless super clueless bastard Apc is boko haram Thiefnu.bu is a pedophile drug dealer and a cocain sniffer property seized in the usa for his drug deals. Buhari can only be president in sambisa and shekau would hand over to him with his forged result. Osinbajo is fake and a loafer Amechi and Fashola are errand boys Ambode new recruit errand boy Buhari boko haram spiritual head Atiku and Thiefnu.bu boko haram sponsor 1 Like |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by Controlled(f): 2:46pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
dis one is born to serve. unlike our own, born to tiv. |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by bewla(m): 3:04pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
gay how much mb them giv u omowumi if u no c u no talk o there is God o |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by bewla(m): 3:05pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
yakubuomowumi:gay how much mb them giv u omowumi if u no c u no talk o there is God |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by Occurstaem(m): 3:11pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
yakubuomowumi:ARE YOU A ROBOT ? BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THOSE ARE THE ONLY WORDS YOU HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED TO TYPE. SMH 4 u . General Buhari will never spend Government's money recklessly unlike our 'stealing is not corruption' President. |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by moderatorr1: 3:16pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
The president of a troubled country like Nigeria cannot leave himself unprotected at all times. All those way Don try am Don dey underground. 1. Buhari was stupid to let ibb walk into aso rock with a few officers in 1985 and walk him out in a bloodless coup 2. Murtala Mohammed was assassinated 3. Abacha , Abiola was poisoned due to their carelessness 4. Ibb was almost killed in a coup 5. JFK was taken out from a roof top. His brother was killed while greeting some people. 6. Lincoln was shot from the back while watching cinema with some people You can't just try that shii in some countries. Nigeria is one of them. 1 Like |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by kpaofame: 3:25pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
Ok i dont envy him...HE Tried and i hope his successors put the interest of the people first... |
Re: World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully by Blackfire(m): 3:50pm On Mar 02, 2015 |
only one man can do this and more and his name is .... blackfire. press hate |
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