By Olubunmi Adebayo
*I will share with us today, three historic letters, written by outgoing Presidents of the United States of America for the incoming Presidents, normally called – Resolute Desk Letters.*
*I will also make little notes on the relationship between each of them.*
*1) LETTER FROM GEORGE HW BUSH TO BILL CLINTON :*
*The two of them – George HW Bush and Bill Clinton were the presidential gladiators during the November 1992 election.*
*George HW Bush was the presidential candidate of the Republican Party, while Bill Clinton was the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. At the end of the hard fought election, Bill Clinton defeated George HW Bush, who was the incumbent president and prevented his winning a re-election for a second term.*
*This is the letter he left for the incoming President Bill Clinton :*
*Dear Bill,*
*When I walked into this office just now, I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel the same, too.*
*I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.*
*There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.*
*You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.*
*Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.*
*Good luck.*
*George.*
*2) LETTER FROM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON TO THE INCOMING PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH.*
*The incoming President George W Bush was the son of former President George HW Bush. George Bush Junior was of the Republican Party, and he just defeated Al Gore the candidate of the Democratic Party in a bitter election in which Al Gore scored more individual votes than George Bush. Don’t forget too that Al Gore was the Vice President to Bill Clinton for 8 straight years.*
*Please read what Bill Clinton wrote to George W. Bush – January 20, 2001*
*Dear George,*
*Today you embark on the greatest venture, with the greatest honor, that can come to an American citizen.*
*Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our country in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew.*
*You lead a proud, decent, good people. And from this day you are President of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness.*
*The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible.*
*My prayers are with you and your family.*
*Godspeed.*
*Sincerely,*
*Bill.*
*3) LETTER FROM GEORGE W. BUSH TO BARACK OBAMA – January 20, 2009.*
*Please note that the outgoing President George W Bush was of the Republican Party, while the incoming President Barack Obama was of the Democratic Party, and he had just defeated Senator John McCain of the Republican Party in the November 2008 election.*
*Dear Barack,*
*Congratulations on becoming our President. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life.*
*Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face.*
*There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘friends’ will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me.*
*No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead.*
*God bless you.*
*Sincerely,*
*GW.*
*_Can you sincerely reflect on the letters above, and reconcile them with the exchanges between our leaders in Nigeria and in different parts of Africa?_*
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©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
