I’m Still In PDP, But I Won’t Be Active Because There Is A Criminal Among You - Obasanjo Tells PDP Chieftains...
Former president of Nigeria and
one time PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Olusegun Obasanjo has said he is still
in PDP, but will not be active as expected. Some PDP chieftains have been
begging the former head of state to become active once again in the party,
because his influence cannot be swept under the carpet. Obasanjo who is
believed not to be happy that President Jonathan will be contesting in 2015
according to a report says, Jonathan has not kept to their earlier agreement.
He was also fast to say he holds Nigeria in high esteem than any party. And
most importantly, if PDP wants him to be active, Buruji Kashamu, a PDP South West leader and
ally of President Goodluck Jonathan will have nothing to do with the party.
Obasanjo made these statements on
Sunday in a press release made available to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State
capital. Read part of the statement below:
“My interest and commitment to Nigeria go
beyond partisan politics. Under no condition will my commitment to Nigeria be
diminished.”
“For me, it is commitment to
Nigeria first and any other commitment can only follow in second or third
place. Where any other commitment is in tandem with what I see and understand
as commitment to Nigeria, such other commitment will share a pride of place
with Nigeria.”
“Today, Nigeria needs all hands on
deck to deal with our pressing problems of security including the issue of
Chibok girls, widening inequality, infrastructure, impunity, corruption,
poverty and youth education, skill-acquisition, empowerment and employment.
“These are issues of concern to
most Nigerians. We all need to join hands to move Nigeria forward. I don’t need
to be begged for that.”
“Talking of inviting me back to PDP is wrong
and it is a great misrepresentation as I have never left PDP and I will never
leave PDP.”
“I have said it before and I will
say it again, I rose to become the President of Nigeria on the platform of PDP
and for that reason alone, I will remain a card-carrying and ward-active member
of PDP for as long as I have to be a political party member.”
“Nobody has personally offended me
as a result of my membership of PDP. If, however, anybody or group feels
offended by my continued membership, I will offer an unreserved apology but
continue to remain in the party.
“I have had occasions to say to
the President, the Senate President and the Party Chairman separately that I
have no quarrel with any individual or group in the Party.”
My refusal to play an active role
in the PDP, is an issue of principle and morality.
“For instance, as a former
President of Nigeria, the Chairman of West Africa Commission on Drug and a
member of Global Commission on Drug, I cannot accept that the Zonal leader of
my political Party and, worse still in my zone, will be an indicted drug baron
wanted in America. How do I explain that to friends outside Nigeria?” he said
in reference to Buruji Kashamu, a PDP South West leader and ally of President
Goodluck Jonathan.
“This is only one of the many
issues that I have pointed and still pointing out,” he said.
Mr. Obasanjo said he would,
however, remain active at the PDP ward level.
However in a letter published
earlier by Premium Times, the former leader had said by deciding to seek
re-election, Mr. Jonathan was going against all the agreements they had in 2011
when Mr. Obasanjo was the president’s chief campaigner across the country.
The former president believes that
by their agreements in 2011, the PDP presidential ticket for 2015 should go to
a northerner.
