There are strong indications that former President Olusegun Obasanjo may have warned the All Progressives Congress not to field former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku as its flagbearer in the 2015 elections.

Obasanjo, during a recent visit by the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to his residence in Abeokuta, was said to have warned the opposition party against fielding an “unclean vessel” as its presidential candidate in 2015.

An impeccable source, who was at the meeting but did not want his name mentioned, told Saturday PUNCH that last week’s visit by Tinubu to Obasanjo was meant to remind the former President of the need to support the APC to realise its ambition of winning next year’s presidential election.

The source said, “Chief Obasanjo appreciated Tinubu’s visit to his home, but specifically warned the APC to shut its door against “unclean vessel.”

“Chief Obasanjo reiterated his refusal to join the APC when Tinubu visited him in his Abeokuta residence, but warned the party to beware of Atiku.

“The former President appreciated the move by the APC to find out what he knew about two of the APC aspirants seeking the party’s presidential ticket. He was happy that the party consulted him over whom to pick as its presidential candidate. The former President gave detailed information on the APC presidential aspirants to Tinubu.”

But Atiku’s media aide, Garba Shehu, said he was not aware of such comments by Obasanjo against the former vice-president.

Shehu, who said that Atiku had consulted relevant stakeholders on his plan to become Nigeria’s president next year, said, “You can quote me; we are not in any way aware of such comment. What I can say is that the former vice-president has written a letter to his former boss, respectfully informing him of his wish to bid for the APC ticket.”

He also said that Atiku had sent similar letters to other Nigerians.

“These letters, which were personally signed, had gone to thousands of other Nigerians, including politicians, traditional and religious leaders as well as friendly-diplomatic missions.”

Senate President David Mark and Tinubu had last Friday held separate closed-door meetings with Obasanjo. Both Mark and the former Lagos State governor said the issues discussed at the meetings held at the Obasanjo’s Hilltop residence in Abeokuta centred on the state of the nation.

Tinubu had told journalists that he had discussion with Obasanjo on “some of his former boys” who would vie for elective positions in the 2015 general elections, especially the Presidency.

He had said, “We are here to pay homage to our former President and discuss with him because he has a number of influences in the political sphere.

“We need to talk to find out his thinking about Nigeria and the future. We need to seek his observation on some of his former boys who are running for Presidency in our party.”

Mark had also described Obasanjo as the father of the nation with a wealth of experience.

The Senate President had told journalists after the meeting that he came with his team, including Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; the Peoples Democratic Party Women Leader, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; and Senator Polycarp Nwite, among others to discuss with the former President and raise some basic issues that affected both the party and the nation.

He said, “We discussed issues that will move Nigeria forward because Chief Obasanjo’s love for Nigeria is unquantifiable. So, we had a good discussion with him.”

Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the former president would support APC in its bid to win next year’s presidential election.

Party sources said Obasanjo did not need to defect to the opposition party before he could support it to win the poll.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, told one of our correspondents on telephone on Thursday that the recent visit to Obasanjo by Tinubu was part of efforts to ensure that the opposition party got the former President’s support ahead of the poll.

Though the APC spokesperson said that he was not fully privy to the topic of discussion between Obasanjo and Tinubu, he said that if the party leader had gone to visit the former President, it was about how the former president could help the opposition party win in the 2015 general elections.

He said, “I am not fully aware of what they (Obasanjo and Tinubu) discussed. But of course, did you expect they would discuss church matters? Clearly if he went to visit Obasanjo, it had to be about politics and the party. What else would you expect them to talk about?

“That would not be the first time the party chieftains would meet with the former President. There is no secret about it. We want the party to win in next year’s elections. That is it.”

When asked whether the former President might defect to the APC to help the party achieve its goal, Mohammed said, “Obasanjo does not need to defect to the APC before he could help the party.

“The former President needs not declare openly or defect to our party before he can help us. Someone went to visit him, he was chased out; Asiwaju Tinubu went to visit him and he was entertained. What are you talking about? What does that tell you?”

Obasanjo had in 2013 embraced the APC when some of the party’s national leaders and governors elected on its platform visited him in Abeokuta.

The APC leaders then sought Obasanjo’s support for the party’s bid to win the forthcoming elections.

Among Obasanjo’s visitors during the December 2013 visit were Tinubu, former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari; former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff; Senator Osita Isunazor; and Senator Bukola Saraki.

Tinubu, who hailed Obasanjo’s contributions to nation-building, had lamented that the country was divided more than ever.

Tinubu had added that the APC had resolved to rescue Nigeria and appealed to the former President to lead the mission.

He had said, “You have 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 are resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you as navigator.”

But the Peoples Democratic Party, which apparently sensed that the APC might finally get Obasanjo’s full support, on Wednesday, made entreaties to beg the former President.

Obasanjo, a former Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, had refused to identify with the party following series of disagreements he had with President Goodluck Jonathan and the running of the party.

The former President even as the chairman of BoT of the party shunned the meetings of the various organs of the party, including its National Executive Committee.

But speaking while receiving former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who defected from the Labour Party to the PDP in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu, begged Obasanjo to return to the PDP.

Mu’azu, who was reacting to an earlier apology offered by Daniel, said every member of the party must beg the former President for forgiveness.

He described Obasanjo as a pragmatic leader, who he said hailed from a zone he claimed had produced the best educated people in the country.

Mu’azu said, “I want to join former Ogun State governor, I want to join my dear elder brother and indeed all the teeming members here to very sincerely apologise to our leader, to our baba, my baba, General, President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to forgive us.

“We cannot continue. I know he has been very prayerful. In the Villa, I know he used to pray every morning. Very early, 5:30 to 6am, he is praying.

“And I know he keeps on praying all the time. As we say in our Lord’s Prayer: ‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who trespass against us’; Baba, you have to forgive us. I beg you in the name of the Almighty God, so that you too can be forgiven. We are your children. We are making mistakes, we have made mistakes, we have apologised.

“We will not agree even if you want to throw the baby away with the bath water, the baby will not go without you.

“So, please baba, we apologise. Come and lead us. Even the President (Goodluck Jonathan) is waiting for you. Come and lead us. You are our leader, we appreciate you, we thank you for your leadership.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/dont-field-atiku-obasanjo-warns-apc/

This Atiku guy should just go and sit down jor!

irunmole obasanjo

hopelink1:
irunmole obasanjo

Irunmole to n je jollof rice ati fried rice you mean?. Obasanjo just turn hinsef to juju for Nigeria neck.

They will only give President Jonathan an easy win by doing that.

Seriously, I prefer Atiku to Buhari.

APC never ceases to amuse me, imagine Tinubu seeking advice from OBJ, just few years ago they were worst foes(publicly).

I wanna ask, is OBJ now seen as a progressive by the same folks that were his opposition.

Pls APc should remind me their IDEOLOGY??

#Politics, all about interest of a certain cabal

"They don't really care about us"

I just love OBJ, one man I know that wishes Nigeria well, I just wish he could have opportunity to correct his mistakes. He is really a changed man, may God keep you alive in good health to see a prosperous Nigeria

Elantracey:
They will only give President Jonathan an easy win by doing that.

apc wont be cephalo-less to field an embodiment of corruption like Atiku.



Even devil nor fit doubt say God pass am. Baba ma knw say buhari beta pass.

Caseless:
apc wont be cephalo-less to field an embodiment of corruption like Atiku.



Even devil nor fit doubt say God pass am. Baba ma knw say buhari beta pass.

For me none of them is good and will prefer Jonathan to the both of them , why can't APC bring up someone better at least with a little good reputation and less corrupt ? Must money and fake power always rule their head?

...Buhari with Idiagbon of blessed memory would hav shaped this country,but they were overran so fast.
...until the good learn how fast to overrun the evil ones, thing will continue on e go beta syndrome. It is a matter of speed

Elantracey:



For me none of them is good and will prefer Jonathan to the both of them , why can't APC bring up someone better at least with a little good reputation and less corrupt ? Must money and fake power always rule their head?

give me reasons why u dont like buhari.

fear don catch the Ebola of Owu!

Elantracey:



For me none of them is good and will prefer Jonathan to the both of them , why can't APC bring up someone better at least with a little good reputation and less corrupt ? Must money and fake power always rule their head?

tell me why u think buhari is not good for us.

Caseless:
tell me why u think buhari is not good for us.

Buhari is responsible for human right violation of many Nigerians including Fela. Buhari is anti democratic and was responsible for a coup that remove a democratic government. Buhari was part of the most corrupt government ever in Nigeria history which is the Abacha government. Nigeria deserves better than buhari.

Not when money is involved.

recycled politicians keep ruining our polity. u hardly hear fresh names.

I repeat: Give the damn ticket to Buhari Now!!!!

Atiku should take several seats already. We need someone who could nip corruption and terrorism in the bud in the shortest time possible, and aint no one surer than the General to do so. He's done both in the past, he can do both again!!!

#GodBlessAndKeepTheGeneral.

If and only if (iff) APC can just feature Kwankwaso/Fashola. But religious bigots will not support this..

ATIKUlate and OBJectivity

A Buhari/Fashola Ticket is the best hand APC can play and it has the votes to win. PDP fear it the most and Nigerians love it the most. Those that hate it will never vote APC, even if their lives depends on it.

Yèyë people, whoever APC fields would be beaten-out like a broken drum, and spinned around in mid-air like a ROYALE RUMBLE LOSER awaiting an inevitable 3-count

Elantracey:



For me none of them is good and will prefer Jonathan to the both of them , why can't APC bring up someone better at least with a little good reputation and less corrupt ? Must money and fake power always rule their head?

You prefer jonathan to Buhari? Are you okay??

Baba dey fear

Raiders:
Buhari is responsible for human right violation of many Nigerians including Fela. Buhari is anti democratic and was responsible for a coup that remove a democratic government. Buhari was part of the most corrupt government ever in Nigeria history which is the Abacha government. Nigeria deserves better than buhari.

Who made you believe all this?
The corrupt Nigerians will stop at nothing to paint him black.
He's not perfect but better than them all.he's for the masses not rich only.

egift:
A Buhari/Fashola Ticket is the best hand APC can play and it has the votes to win. PDP fear it the most and Nigerians love it the most. Those that hate it will never vote APC, even if their lives depends on it.

Nigerians and their fake worship will not this good thing happened.

There is no nothern leader that can defeat Gej....Fashola wud have been the best bt unfortunately to them, buhari and Atiku have hijacked the party.

egift:
A Buhari/Fashola Ticket is the best hand APC can play and it has the votes to win. PDP fear it the most and Nigerians love it the most. Those that hate it will never vote APC, even if their lives depends on it.

This your "Buhari/Fashola" new song is not different from TANoid of "GEJ till 2019". If the Jänjaweeds try such then they are as good as gone.

ideology:
Seriously, I prefer Atiku to Buhari.

APC never ceases to amuse me, imagine Tinubu seeking advice from OBJ, just few years ago they were worst foes(publicly).

Now I wanna ask is OBJ, now seen as a progressive by the same folks that were his opposition.

#Politics, all about interest.
MJ sank it, "They don't really care about us"

I just love OBJ, one man I know that wishes Nigeria well, I just wish he could have opportunity to correct his mistakes. He is really a changed man, may God keep you alive in good health to see a prosperous Nigeria

During the time u talked abt, dnt forget it was all politics n its absolute interest. U dnt expect politicians to fight till da kingdom come.

ideology:
Seriously, I prefer Atiku to Buhari.

APC never ceases to amuse me, imagine Tinubu seeking advice from OBJ, just few years ago they were worst foes(publicly).

Now I wanna ask is OBJ, now seen as a progressive by the same folks that were his opposition.

#Politics, all about interest.
MJ sank it, "They don't really care about us"

I just love OBJ, one man I know that wishes Nigeria well, I just wish he could have opportunity to correct his mistakes. He is really a changed man, may God keep you alive in good health to see a prosperous Nigeria

Remember the saying "no permanent enemies in politics only permanent interests"? Politics is essentially about seeing the big picture always rather than being personally encumbered by pettiness and worthless bellicosity.

Raiders:
Buhari is responsible for human right violation of many Nigerians including Fela. Buhari is anti democratic and was responsible for a coup that remove a democratic government. Buhari was part of the most corrupt government ever in Nigeria history which is the Abacha government. Nigeria deserves better than buhari.

Goodluck Jonathan has done worse than Buhari and he(Jonathan) remains the most corrupt president Nigeria has ever had.

Sai Buhari 2015!

Bulllshiiit.
Jonathanians manufacturing lies for a living

stinggy:
If and only if (iff) APC can just feature Kwankwaso/Fashola. But religious bigots will not support this..

you guys keep saying Kwankwaso/Fashola and Buhari/Fashola but never Fashola/Kwankwaso...and are quick to stick da BIGOT,RELIGION n TRIBE term and tag on others,how smart indeed!

tit:
fear don catch the Ebola of Owu!

U don't come bck from maternity leave ko. Ya iyale