The seed of the stand-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and his estranged benefactor,ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo,was sowed about two years ago, before blowing into the open on Wednesday, The Nation can now reveal.
Their differences revolve around seven issues, according to well-placed sources in Abuja.
Although the duo, against all expectations, shared breakfast in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, it was gathered that President Jonathan may henceforth keep Obasanjo at bay on account of the ex-president’s “toxic” letter.
Presidency sources said the anger generated by the letter is yet to subside.
Their differences stemmed from:
•Rejection of some ministerial nominees and chief executives of departments and agencies from the South-West from Obasanjo;
•Alleged refusal of Jonathan to consult Obasanjo on key policies and decisions of the government;
•Disagreement over the leadership of PDP at national level and in the South-West, especially the sack of Obasanjo’s loyalists like ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ex-Governor Segun Oni and Bode Mustapha;
•The rise of G-7 and ultimate defection;
•Obasanjo’s allegation of Jonathan’s administration of lack of direction, especially on anti-graft war;
•Use of international fora to write off the administration of Jonathan; and
•Second term aspiration of Jonathan.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Jonathan and Obasanjo had been patching their relationship over the last two years.
Some months ago, Jonathan was said to have confronted Obasanjo and accused the ex-president of undermining him.
Jonathan, sources said, accused Obasanjo of supporting the PDP G-7 governors.
It was learnt that Obasanjo denied the allegation and assured Jonathan of support.
The source added: “Obasanjo’s disagreement with Jonathan started from the ministerial nomination. The ex-President sought input into nominations from the South-West, but Jonathan restricted him to Ogun State. He said Obasanjo could not singlehanded nominate ministers from the South-West when there is a PDP structure in place.
“The ex-President was also not happy that the Jonathan administration does not consult him on all policy issues, decisions of the government and strategic appointments. The ex-President felt the President had been hijacked by those he did not want in government,”the source said.
One of those who allegedly “offended Obasanjo” in the past was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim.
His appointment was said to have been made without consultation with Obasanjo.
When the matter was brought to Anyim’s attention, he personally went to meet Obasanjo to plead forgiveness for whatever offence he might have committed.
Obasanjo reportedly told Anyim there was no quarrel.
The emergence of Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of PDP and the attendant crisis in the party appeared to have deepened the crack in the relationship between the two leaders, while the alleged hijack of the South-West PDP structure from Obasanjo pained the ex-President.
“But with anti-second term campaign for Jonathan, it was strategically important for the PDP to restrict Obasanjo to his only vote at the PDP National Convention for presidential primaries than to allow him control the party structure and wreak havoc,” one source said.
The Presidency was also said to have received intelligence reports on Obasanjo’s remarks at several international gatherings including some in the USA in which he allegedly made uncomplimentary remarks about the administration.
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stupid Obasanjo so you are taking that Nigeria belong to your father,
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DeleteObasanjo is a stupid man
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ReplyDeleteLet Us wait and See Who APC will present for presidency,,,If that person Is Not Angel Micheal Then GEJ will Continue in office as our president after 2015...
guy i like your comment, god bless you and your family,thanks
ReplyDeleteBoth emex and the anonymous are big fool.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think with your nyash and not your brain just like your uncle Jona.
Pls. tell me what is the population of Niger Delta.
Are you saying that the Ibo's, the southwest and the north will not vote. Its a shame that you are living in the dark age.
@Emex, with GEJ's current show of incompetence any candidate presented by APC (unfortunately they are the strongest opposition) will beat Jonathan flat.
ReplyDeleteOpen your eyes Emex and stop being sentimental GEJ is incompetent and has shown that repeatedly. How do you expect us to continue with him.
See there are 6 political regions in Nigeria. At the moment becos of sentiments only 1 region see GEJ as a good president. Part of The South East believe too. GEJ will not win in the SW,NE,NW or Middle belt. So how do you think he will win? becos Gulak and Asari say so abi, loool
Emex speaks with such confidence as though he has the power to single handedly install anyone in power! Look man, this APC you are seeing αη∂ hearing will shock your system beyond belief come 2015. I pity you aswear!!! Idiot tribal bigot
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ReplyDeleteI pity una! You're all living in sugar candy mountain! #animalfarm on my mind.
ReplyDeleteGod bless u my broda...GEJ for 2015
ReplyDeletelook obj takin as if has interest of an average nigerian at heart.
ReplyDeletesome people are fool, we are not doing election in Nigeria, we are going to ring the election with our power. you people are fools,
ReplyDelete