NAN – Dr Stephen Oru, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 advised former president Olusegun Obasanjo to apologise to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the unguarded statements credited to him.
Addressing a news conference organised by the ministry in Abuja, he said the former president was the most privileged Nigerian who had the opportunity of ruling the country twice both as military Head of State and as a democratically-elected president.
Oru expressed dismay over alleged comments credited to Obasanjo, who had served as president for two teems on the platform of the PDP.
He said as an elder statesman, Obasanjo’s opinion is highly respected nationally and internationally; so the alleged statements were not in the interest of the unity of the country, considering his position.
Oru advised Obasanjo to emulate other respected former presidents who have humbled themselves and utilised available channels to advise government on ways to move the nation forward.
According to him, Obasanjo has not treated the PDP, the person and office of the President and Nigerians fairly.
“He still has the time to make amends and retrace his footsteps and tender an apology to the party and the nation.”
The minister observed that Jonathan has unusual gift of patience, tolerance and humility.
Obasanjo was quoted on Monday, February 16, 2015 as saying that Jonathan was behind the rescheduling of the general elections because of his desperation to win the election.
He has resigned from the party at a meeting of his supporters in Abeokuta, where he also ordered that his PDP membership card be torn, following which his party expelled him.
