Details of what happened when All Progressives Congress, Chieftain, Bola Tinubu and Peoples Democratic Party stalwart David Mark had seperate meetings with ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo have begun to emerge.
At the meetings which held Friday, Obasanjo failed to pledge support to both men who were on a blessing seeking mission for their parties ahead of the 2015 elections.
Source at close to Obasanjo, who were present said :
“Tinubu, like he told the journalists around after the meeting, came to ask forBaba Obasanjo’s support for his party. He explained to him about the coming presidential primaries of his party and the leading aspirants, (General) Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“He asked Baba if he had anyone at heart he would like to be the presidential candidate since he knows the three of them, butBaba appreciated the trust Tinubu has in him, but he reminded him that he is still a PDP card-carrying member, but as a former president, all the parties in the country belong to him. He advised Tinubu to let his party follow due process as laid down by the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution,” the source said.
David Mark appreciated Baba for his love for the country and urged him to rekindle his love for the PDP as former President and former chairman, Board of Trustees of the party. Although he refused to go into the details, but he made reference to the cold war between Baba and President Jonathan and asked Baba to forgive and forget the past,” the source said.
“Again, Baba thanked the delegation and said he is always available to contribute his best for the nation. He said whatever roles he deems fit, he would still play it. Baba told him that he bears no grudge against the party, reminding the delegation that he remains a strong member of the PDP.”
A second source and a close Obasanjo ally at the meeting opined thus on the possible explanations, Obasanjo would explore
“You should not forget that Baba is not only a retired general, but he has ruled the country more than anyone else, either living or dead, and he knows the implication of giving promises to anyone. I believe it is too early to predict what he would do. There are three options left before him: to forget the past and campaign for Jonathan, though that would hurt him because up till now, Jonathan has not told Baba he is contesting; to dump PDP and join APC, or work for its candidate. But if I may tell you, the only person that could make that happen is if somebody like Kwankwaso emerges the candidate, which I doubt too much; and the third option is for Baba to be playing the role of an elder-statesman who would not shut his doors against whoever comes to him,” he concluded.