The Northern intelligentsia and political leaders are now getting excited by the resignation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the post of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, and are more prepared to regain their groove with him on strategic reasons, Sunday Tribune can report. Obasanjo, according to fresh findings, has been receiving different delegations from the North, both in Abuja and his Abeokuta home, since the news of his resignation as BoT chairman of the ruling party broke out, all ostensibly congratulating him for taking a “wise decision.” Meanwhile, the unexplained reason behind Obasanjo’s sudden resignation from the mainstream network of the PDP, according to investigations, was not unconnected with his desire to detach himself from the inner caucus of the party in order to maintain a high measure of neutrality as countdown to 2015 election year, gathers momentum. The new stance by the former president on politics, as explained, meant that he would no longer be rigidly committed to presidential aspiration of anyone, including that of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. An old associate of the former president told Sunday Tribune in Abuja that Obasanjo had come of age in politics, and for that, had seen the necessity to sit back and review his active participation since 1998, while taking stock of how he had faired in his desire to put Nigeria on the path of greatness. Obasanjo, the source disclosed, has not been totally happy that those he stuck out his neck for to attain power, including the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the incumbent president, fully appreciated his efforts, much as they attempted to hold him in abeyance while they enjoyed power. The North is, however, said to be keen on making Obasanjo maintain neutrality ahead of 2015 in its desire to tackle President Jonathan head long following the early campaign for his second term by his supporters. According to findings, the North is of a strong belief that it could confidently handle Jonathan alone on the 2015 matters, whereas it may find it a bit difficult to do so in the event that Obasanjo steps in again to mobilise support for him, as he did to make him become acting president, then, a substantive president and finally, an elected president in 2011. Obasanjo, it was learnt, is not desirous of dipping his hands in the murky politics of 2015 in line with a growing orchestra that the incumbent president should step into the ring for another trial, rather than honouring the initial agreement that he should have just one term in office. The incumbent president rode on the crest of popular sentiment that the South-South deserved to be offered presidential power in 2011 to balance the power distribution equation in Nigeria, hence, the support he enjoyed from top political stakeholders in the country at the expense of the interest of the North to present the next president then. When former President Yar’Adua died mid way into the expiration of his term in 2010, the desire by the North to fulfil his full term, in line with the existing zoning of political power, was truncated with agitation that Jonathan be given the chance, thus sparking the greatest controversy on zoning in Nigeria. Obasanjo’s desire to relinquish the office of BoT of the PDP is said to be more predicated on the emergence of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as national chairman of the party. He fully supported the candidacy of Tukur and that of national secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Obasanjo, it was explained, believed that the duo of Tukur and Oyinlola have the wherewithal to hold the party effectively and with ability to resolve all contentious issues over 2015. Indication that Obasanjo is now out to prove his neutrality in national politics could be noted with the manner he has been interacting freely of late with members of other political parties, including the leading opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), just as his private visit to Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, continues to generate more controversies in political circles in the country. Investigations have also revealed that that the North has started making subtle moves to form a new political party as a counter force to the PDP towards 2015 in anticipation that supporters of President Jonathan would use the ruling party to promote his tenure elongation, even through constitution amendment. Some PDP governors have started distancing themselves from the mainstream activities in the party as evident by the manner they reportedly frustrated the meeting called with them by the new leadership of the party last Thursday

www.africagist.com