Thisday
reports on the curious coming to London about the same time by President
Jonathan, former President Obasanjo, former military leader, General Ibrahim
Babangida, and some top business and economic players…
reports on the curious coming to London about the same time by President
Jonathan, former President Obasanjo, former military leader, General Ibrahim
Babangida, and some top business and economic players…
It was one week Nigeria literally moved
to London. The top echelon of the nation’s politics and economy were in the
city. President Goodluck Jonathan earlier expected to join the Super Eagles in
South Africa for the finals of the African Cup of Nations as he promised was in
London “because of urgent official commitments”.
to London. The top echelon of the nation’s politics and economy were in the
city. President Goodluck Jonathan earlier expected to join the Super Eagles in
South Africa for the finals of the African Cup of Nations as he promised was in
London “because of urgent official commitments”.
It is not clear whether that urgent
commitments included the need to solidify the seeming rapproachment between him
and former President Obasanjo, meet former military president Ibrahim Babangida
who was also in London, and visit the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who is
recuperating in the city after an armed attack on his convoy.
commitments included the need to solidify the seeming rapproachment between him
and former President Obasanjo, meet former military president Ibrahim Babangida
who was also in London, and visit the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who is
recuperating in the city after an armed attack on his convoy.
This is because Jonathan’s visit to
London coincided with the launch of Obasanjo’s charity organisation, christened
Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, which the president attended.
London coincided with the launch of Obasanjo’s charity organisation, christened
Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, which the president attended.
He was at the launch along with three
other African leaders-President John Mahama of Ghana, Boni Yayi of Benin
Republic and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia- and other eminent personalities
other African leaders-President John Mahama of Ghana, Boni Yayi of Benin
Republic and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia- and other eminent personalities
Obasanjo had stylishly waited until
Jonathan arrived before the event could start and when the president came, the
former president got up from his seat to personally usher him and other African
leaders to the event.
Jonathan arrived before the event could start and when the president came, the
former president got up from his seat to personally usher him and other African
leaders to the event.
Curiously, however, Babangida who was
staying in a hotel five-minutes walk away from the venue of Obasanjo foundation
launch did not attend the event.
staying in a hotel five-minutes walk away from the venue of Obasanjo foundation
launch did not attend the event.
THISDAY learnt that President Jonathan
also called at IBB’s hotel as he did also on the Emir of Kano.
Nigeria’s industry chiefs, which included President of Dangote Group, Alhaji
Aliko Dangote and Chief Femi Otedola, Chairman Forte oil, as well as Access
Bank Managing Director Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede were also in London.
also called at IBB’s hotel as he did also on the Emir of Kano.
Nigeria’s industry chiefs, which included President of Dangote Group, Alhaji
Aliko Dangote and Chief Femi Otedola, Chairman Forte oil, as well as Access
Bank Managing Director Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede were also in London.
Also were the Petroleum Resources
Minister Deziani Alison-Maduekwe and virtually all the major oil marketers. One
analyst privy to the assemblage of these major political and economic players
said it was one week Nigeria moved to London.
Minister Deziani Alison-Maduekwe and virtually all the major oil marketers. One
analyst privy to the assemblage of these major political and economic players
said it was one week Nigeria moved to London.
His presence at the Obasanjo
foundation launch was the second time in one week President Jonathan and the
former president would sit together after a period of reciprocal tirades.
Obasanjo had called at the Presidential Villa last Sunday during which he
worshipped at the Aso Villa Chapel with Jonathan and his wife, Patience.
foundation launch was the second time in one week President Jonathan and the
former president would sit together after a period of reciprocal tirades.
Obasanjo had called at the Presidential Villa last Sunday during which he
worshipped at the Aso Villa Chapel with Jonathan and his wife, Patience.
The former president, accompanied on
the visit by two of his daughters, one of his sons, and business mogul,
Otedola, also, reportedly, followed the president to his official residence
after the church service, where they had lunch and held private discussions.
By taking the initiative to openly visit the Presidential Villa, Obasanjo not
only tried to douse the widely held notions about a faceoff with Jonathan. The
former president also tried to boost his image as a
statesman.
the visit by two of his daughters, one of his sons, and business mogul,
Otedola, also, reportedly, followed the president to his official residence
after the church service, where they had lunch and held private discussions.
By taking the initiative to openly visit the Presidential Villa, Obasanjo not
only tried to douse the widely held notions about a faceoff with Jonathan. The
former president also tried to boost his image as a
statesman.
Some contend that an honest attempt by
the two leaders to restore good relations after their often-embarrassing public
spats would certainly do the country good. It would at least save the country
the humiliation of the never-ending disreputable diatribes being mutually
fastened on each by the two leaders. It would also help the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party in the run up to the 2015 presidential election.
the two leaders to restore good relations after their often-embarrassing public
spats would certainly do the country good. It would at least save the country
the humiliation of the never-ending disreputable diatribes being mutually
fastened on each by the two leaders. It would also help the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party in the run up to the 2015 presidential election.
In any case, when it comes to
politics, compromise always seems inevitable. But the greatest compromise,
according to analysts, is always that which serves the national interest. The
compromise this time between Obasanjo and Jonathan, many fear, may be for
self-preservation.
politics, compromise always seems inevitable. But the greatest compromise,
according to analysts, is always that which serves the national interest. The
compromise this time between Obasanjo and Jonathan, many fear, may be for
self-preservation.
Source:
Thisday
Thisday
