Former President Olusegun Obasanjo remains indifferent to the pressures coming from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which both sent emissaries to him on Friday asking for his support, LEADERSHIP Sunday can now authoritatively reveal.
The leadership of the APC, represented by one of its national leaders, Asiwaju BolaTinubu; former deputy chairman (South), Segun Oni, and a few others were in Abeokuta to lobby Obasanjo over the coming general elections.
On the other hand, the Senate President, David Mark, and some chieftains of the ruling PDP also came calling, apparently on behalf of both the Presidency and the leadership of the party, asking Obasanjo to “forgive and forget the past” and begin working for the party as it prepares for the same election.
According to inside sources, both groups were given the desired audience they sought for by Obasanjo, but he “refused to give his word” to either of the emissaries.
“Both of them had separate audience with Baba (Obasanjo). They came to lobby him for their parties against next year’s general elections, but he refused to give his word to either of them,” a source disclosed.
Speaking in the same vein, another source said, “Tinubu, like he told the journalists around after the meeting, came to ask forBaba Obasanjo’s support for his party. He explained to him about the coming presidential primaries of his party and the leading aspirants, (General) Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“He asked Baba if he had anyone at heart he would like to be the presidential candidate since he knows the three of them, butBaba appreciated the trust Tinubu has in him, but he reminded him that he is still a PDP card-carrying member, but as a former president, all the parties in the country belong to him. He advised Tinubu to let his party follow due process as laid down by the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution,” the source said.
When it was the turn of the PDP, “David Mark appreciated Baba for his love for the country and urged him to rekindle his love for the PDP as former President and former chairman, Board of Trustees of the party. Although he refused to go into the details, but he made reference to the cold war between Baba and President Jonathan and asked Baba to forgive and forget the past,” the source said.
“Again, Baba thanked the delegation and said he is always available to contribute his best for the nation. He said whatever roles he deems fit, he would still play it. Baba told him that he bears no grudge against the party, reminding the delegation that he remains a strong member of the PDP.”
Another source who corroborated what we had been told however gave reasons for the position of Obasanjo.
“You should not forget that Baba is not only a retired general, but he has ruled the country more than anyone else, either living or dead, and he knows the implication of giving promises to anyone. I believe it is too early to predict what he would do. There are three options left before him: to forget the past and campaign for Jonathan, though that would hurt him because up till now, Jonathan has not told Baba he is contesting; to dump PDP and join APC, or work for its candidate. But if I may tell you, the only person that could make that happen is if somebody like Kwankwaso emerges the candidate, which I doubt too much; and the third option is for Baba to be playing the role of an elder-statesman who would not shut his doors against whoever comes to him,” he concluded.
Source: Leadership
