Discomforting news for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid broke out from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Hilltop Mansion, Abeokuta, yesterday evening, indicating that the outcome of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors who had gone there to plead for the President’s support was initially played down.
We can authoritatively disclose today that Obasanjo flatly refused to support Jonathan although Obasanjo had publicly said that he only explained to the governors his position on national issues.
But we gathered that it was more than that as he maintained his stand against Jonathan’s style of administration which didn’t deserve his support.
This was even as Jonathan and the son of the late former Head of State, Mohammed Abacha met behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa yesterday, apparently to strategise on how to secure victory for him and the party in Kano and other States..
The PDP is presenting the junior Abacha, who was freed from corruption and theft charges by the Federal Government last June, as its governorship candidate for Kano, apparently based on his assumed influence and popularity to dislodge the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate backed by out-going Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
However, the five governors; Mallam Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Godswill Akpabio- (Akwa Ibom) had approached Obasanjo on behalf of Jonathan and the PDP and pleading with him to not only tone down his verbal attacks on the president and his administration but back him in the forthcoming election.
The governors, who spent at least three hours discussing with Obasanjo, however were said to have left his mansion without any strong promise from the former president, who sounded rather defiant, claiming that it was clear to all Nigerians that Nigerian under Jonathan was in a bad shape.
Obasanjo was, however, said to have given his visitors some words of consolation, saying, ‘the situation in Nigeria today is bad but is not beyond redemption’. “That means that something can still be done to change it, if there is courage and determination to do so.”
A source close to the Abeokuta meeting revealed that Obasanjo accepted to receive the five governors because of his respect for them as individuals and politicians who rode to national limelight through his instrumentality and not because of Jonathan or PDP. The source told our correspondent on Friday that although Obasanjo was disappointed by the action of most of the governors who visited him, he did not want to vent his anger and disappointment by turning down their request to visit him.
The source, who is close to Obasanjo said: “But the truth of the matter is that ‘Baba’ did not give them any promise of word of comfort throughout their stay in Abeokuta because he is very upset with most of them, who have betrayed him in many ways since he helped them to clinch power in 2007.
“He told them the truth as it is that Jonathan’s leadership had really hurt the image of Nigeria at home and abroad and that they themselves should help him to change course so as to help Nigeria and Nigerians out the doldrums.
“Obasanjo made it clear to the visitors that he was not just speaking out for the sake of bringing Jonathan or his government down but to draw his attention to the urgent need to rise up and fight the monsters of insecurity and monumental corruption that are fast eating away the fabric of the nationhood and making Nigeria a mockery before the international community.
Asked if Obasanjo had tabled any demand as a condition for backing Jonathan in next year’s presidential poll, the source hinted that the former head of state did not give any condition and was not keen on any since he was not ready to back down on his position.
“Look, let me tell you the truth; Baba stands on his position concerning Jonathan and his administration and he is not ready to change whatever he had said or written no matter who comes to him or not.
“I can tell you that if the mission of the five governors was successful, one of them, who likes to talk at every event, would have been the first to speak. What happened was more of a mission not accomplished to say the truth,” the source said.
A source close to the Presidency said that the visit by the five governors to Obasanjo might have been sanctioned by the Villa as a means of staving off lingering criticism of President Jonathan by Obasanjo ahead of the crucial presidential poll fixed for the first quarter of next year.
Obasanjo had last month described Jonathan’s performance so far as ‘below average,’ a rating that received an instant bashing from Jonathan’s aides, who descended heavily on the former leader, calling him names.
Meanwhile, although the details of the discussions between Jonathan and Mohammed Abacha were not made public, Abacha told State House correspondents shortly after emerging from the parley with the president that he was confident the PDP would ‘recover Kano’ from the APC.
According to him, Kano was stolen from PDP and the party is on its way to recovering the stolen ticket. Abacha was also optimistic he would emerge the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer,saying, “We are hopeful; I wouldn’t want to say too much. I said it before that it was a PDP state; it was a PDP ticket. It was taken or converted or even stolen; whatever you want to call it, so be it. The chances of the PDP are still bright.’’
Speculations had been rife that the Presidency deliberately withdrew the charges bordering on the alleged stealing of N446 billion preferred against the aspirant last June in order to pave the way for him to contest the Kano governorship election.
The government through the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, had justified the nolle proseque (don’t prosecute or discontinue prosecution) entered in favour of Abacha, claiming that it was done in the overall interest of the country and not for pecuniary or political reasons.
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You can't eat your cake and have it Mr President. Obasanjo is not stupid and I can bet my last kobo that he will never ever forgive you.
ReplyDeleteIs Obasanjo God?
DeleteAfter reading a piece like this and confirming its authenticity some Nigerians would still go ahead with an unflinching support for the GEJ administration. I pray us to stop complaining of poverty and corruption, we are not ready for a change yet. I remember the jubilations over the death of Abaca and the tyranny of his CSO, I also remember the son's role as established by the media. The question is; would the present government overlook all of these and still pride itself as fighting corruption and stealing of people's fund? In as much as I may not be using this medium to campaign for the opposition I disagree with GEJ and of the opinion he's playing lip service to the transformation of Nigeria and this is by all indication.
ReplyDeleteJonathan is undoubtedly a very corrupt man. To even allow himself to be associated with Abacha's son tells it all. On another instance, the Former Aviation Minister's (Kayode) charges were instantly dropped a few weeks ago after he met privately with Jonathan. Alams was instantly pardoned as soon as Jonathan became president. The man is not worthy to lead a corrupt country such as Nigeria, but obviously the voters don't care.
ReplyDeleteHold on! Since when did 3rd term Obasanjo become a beacon of integrity? On a basic personality test GJ as bad as he is will be an angel compared to him. Anyway when we have finished insulting SS people and thier Igbo brothers we shall see how OTA farm (built from looted funds ) will feed us in Nigeria because they will surely leave us to the mercy of northern backward islamist fuedalists. We are such fools on this country
ReplyDelete...and you posted as anonymous? You should have shown your identity of you were proud of your post. This way credence can be given to what you imagine in your medulla as ok. Little wonder why our leaders take a lot for granted and mislead Nigerians every time they choose to.
DeleteNigeria is not Obasanjo's inheritance.Nigeria must move. He is one of those who put this country where it is today that GEJ is struggling to fix yet he is bent on frustrating him. How I wish Fela were alive to judge between Baba and GEJ. But God dey ooooh and God is the ultimate. judge.
ReplyDeleteSome nigerias are not realistic. Haha, with the situation nigeria is and even the way gej is rulling this country some people are still supporting him.i sorry for this country.
ReplyDeleteWe know nigeria is not obasanjo's inheritance but he have every right to say his mind or when is it become a crime for someone to contribute in his countries affair at least he is a nigerian.
ReplyDeleteNOOOO HE DOES NOT!!!!! He basically put us in this mess. He had 2 chances to make change and he FAILED so who is he to judge. As terrible GJ may seem Obasanjo is so much worse. Personally and Politically. Also remember that this man has no morals so do not be surprised by his bitter comments. Of all terrible candidates that have been selected and imposed on us GJ is the least horrible.
DeleteMr Ojoma, does this economy look like someone is fixing it. If any thing is good around you, it only by default because obviously everything in this economy is nose diving. I don't mind if it's an APC or PDP candidate but definitely not GEJ. Patience is hunger for power, GEJ's hands is soiled, a soiled hand can't clean a white shirt. Forget abt OBJ
ReplyDeleteI would listen to men who are qualified to speak on the condition of this nation, Obasanjo isn't one of them. A man who forgets so soon how he almost wrecked this nation with his third term bid, impeached the majority with less, made himself the sole administrator of our oil revenue, gave away Bakassi to Cameroun for western support for his third term agenda etc does not qualify in two life times to comment on the state of affairs of this country. Jonathan is more incompetent than corrupt.
ReplyDeleteI will not like to do any comparative analysis of both Obasanjo's and Jonathan's regimes as one was a scaffold for the other. It's high time Nigerians took their destinies in their own hands by voting for reputable personalities but not any political parties. It's only in a country like ours that you see pen robbers, fraudsters, unrepentant criminals and people of antecedent repugnant social vices at the helm of affairs. Vote them out and resist the dictate of the cabals operating in disguise of belonging to different political parties.
ReplyDeleteObasanjo is extremely inconsequential in the Feb 14th 2015 elections. Extremely!
ReplyDeleteOluyemisi Aina's comment depicts logicality, objectivity and above all, maturity. We need more of this in this forum. Enough of sentimental and parochial comments. I therefore seconds her comment.
ReplyDeleteIf GEJ should be criticized, it should be OBJ because he is worse than him. He has the guts to be saying all these because GEJ could not confiscate all those things he looted from Nigerian Government. Someone who lost everything when he was in prison is now the secret richest man in Nigeria, he has the largest farm in Africa through the Government's OPERATION FEED THE NATION, houses all over the world after becoming a president. How can a pot call a kettle black? We need someone like Jerry Rawlings of Ghana who will emerge and shoot all of you corrupt politicians who kept Nigeria in this shape for your selfish interest.
ReplyDeleteHo does GEJ intend to fight corruption when CORRUPTION is actually his pals? I doubt if that man has any credibility and respect for human lives. I see no reason why he shouldn't be jailed after now.
ReplyDeleteThis country is one of the most currupt in the world and our leaders are lending concrete evidence to that effect by their action. it is a pity !!!
ReplyDeleteNo comments on OBJ's stand as that is the truth! Anyone supporting GEJ is not worth himself, how can they drop charges against the son of this late tyrant even that it is quite clear on this Abacha's son involvement in the looting of this country? All in the name of using him to win a State! This poor, one-time shoeless son of Ijaw now has tasted power and behaving as if he has two lives?!!!
ReplyDeleteGEJ made Nigeria to forfeit over 440 billion to the Abachas just to win Kano State and you think all is well with his ambition and the future of Nigeria. If Shekau agrees to support his ambition today, I bet you he can allocate north-east to him for his caliphate.
ReplyDeletepls to you all i say good coments but have you all gotten your voters card...
ReplyDeletepls let get ready to vote out these corrupt peoples....thanks.