A high level delegation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s major opposition party yesterday met with former president and frontline member of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party Chief Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) at his private residence in Abeokuta.
At the end of the 2-hour close door meeting, feelers that emanated suggests that Chief Obasanjo has thrown his weight behind the activities of the opposition.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who was present at the meeting said that Chief Obasanjo embraced the APC at the meeting. He said, “The ex-president told us that APC has taken the first step in the right direction towards making Nigeria great. It was an excellent meeting.”
However, another leading member of the opposition, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu towed a more cautionary path,denying that the APC had come to woo the former president but made the visit to tap from his wealth of political experience.
Tinubu disclosed that the APC had resolved to rescue Nigeria and they want Obasanjo, a detribalised Nigerian to lead the mission.
“You’ve come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage. Nobody can say he has information more than you. You have surmounted a number of crises. Nigeria is divided more than before; to realise stable Nigeria, we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you as navigator,” Tinubu said.
In his reaction, Obasanjo, who said he remained a card-carrying member of the ruling PDP, described himself as an “incurable optimist” totally committed to Nigeria’s well-being.
He vowed that nothing would distract him from his commitment to the Nigerian nation.
Obasanjo also enjoined the opposition party to play a constructive politics “without bitterness”
The former president said, “I am a card carrying member of the PDP but the politics I play traverses Nigeria, Africa and world in that order. I am a democrat and one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition. A democracy that has no opposition built into it is not democracy.
“As an opposition, you are enhancing democracy. You are at home, you are welcome. I will just appeal that the politics you play is politics without rancour, without bitterness, with decency, that has Nigeria at heart. I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria, I am totally committed to Nigeria and nothing will divert me from that commitment.”
Those who were at the meeting include The meeting is said to be in continuation of their consultations on political developments in the country. The APC leaders including of the Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Senator Bukola Saraki, Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso(Kano) and Mutala Nyako (Adamawa) drove into Obasanjo’s mansion on Segun Osoba Hill – Top by 5:50pm in convoy.
General Mohammadu Buhari, three – time presidential contestant, arrived Obasanjo home, the venue of what was described as a “high – powered meeting of an equally high powered coalition of progressive forces,” by 5:56pm on Saturday.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) who drove himself with Mallam Nasir El – Rufai on the passenger seat, arrived by 5:59pm and followed closely by Governors Abiola Ajimobi(Oyo) and Babatunde Fashola(Lagos).
Few minutes earlier around 5:23pm, a convoy of three jeeps including the one marked Lagos JJJ 956BQ and carrying Chief Femi Fani – Kayode and former Anti – graft Czar, Mr Nuhu NRibadu arrived the venue.
Others attending the meeting are APC Interim Spokesperson, Alh. Lai Mohammed, former Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ogun(2011), Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, former Governor of Borno State, Alimodu Sheriff and Bob Effiong.
The Progressive governors and the APC leaders who arrived Abeokuta by noon earlier met with the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at the Government House, Isale – Egbein, Abeokuta where they deliberated for hours before proceeding to Obasanjo’s home.