Details of the closed-door meeting former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo had with leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Raji Bola Tinubu last week has emerged.
The national leader of APC, Tinubu along with former deputy chairman (South), Segun Oni and other party leaders met with Obasanjo in his residence in Abeokuta to have talks over the upcoming general elections in 2015.
The Senate President, David Mark, and some chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) also met with the former President on behalf of the party asking Obasanjo “forgive and forget the past” and begin working for the party as it prepares for the same election.
Leadership reports that both groups were given the desired audience they sought for by Obasanjo, but he “refused to give his word” to either of the emissaries.
A source disclosed: “Both of them had separate audience with Baba (Obasanjo). They came to lobby him for their parties against next year’s general elections, but he refused to give his word to either of them.”
Another source said, “Tinubu, like he told the journalists around after the meeting, came to ask for Baba 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, but Baba 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.
On the other hand, the source also said that “David Mark appreciated Obasanjo 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.”
The Senate President also brought up the feud between Obasanjo and President Jonathan, asking Obasanjo to forgive and forget the past.
“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.
“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,” the source concluded.
