…. as PDP begs for ex-president’s forgiveness
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the Memorandum of Understanding, signed between opposition political parties earlier in the week, signifies a grand alliance and not a merger.
The former president, who noted that the alliance was not an absorption of any political party by any other, added that the MoU was clearly for the parties who agreed to be members of the alliance to work together to achieve one important common objective at the national level for the 2019 election “and where it is appropriate and necessary, members may also form alliance and cooperation at the state level.”
Chief Obasanjo spoke when he received a 21-man delegation of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Secondus, speaking on behalf of the delegation, apologised to the former president for the bad conduct and mistreatment of him by the PDP, while reviewing what he described as the poor state of the nation today.
He also spoke on the progress of the MoU on grand alliance by the Coalition of United Political Parties and appealed to the former president not to be tired of giving leadership to save the country from the throes of mismanagement.
A statement, signed by Media Aide to OBJ, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, said, “ Chief Obasanjo thanked them for apologising on behalf of the party and made reference to the Lord’s prayer, where we are taught to ask God for forgiveness and to grant forgiveness to others. He further underlined the pitiable situation of Nigeria today and the inexcusable killings and insecurity almost all over the country, all of which the present government seems to have no credible solution.”
The former president, according to the statement, reiterated to the committee that the idea of a grand alliance was broached when the Coalition for Nigeria Movement adopted the African Democratic Congress, and affirmed his belief and support for the alliance.
He, however, urged all member political parties to be cautious of fake news, rumours, blackmail, and seeds of discord that may be sown among them from external quarters.
The statement said, “The former president reminded the committee that on adoption of ADC as political party of the CNM, he had maintained that he would not be a member of any political party but would make himself available to guide any party that wishes to be so guided and he has offered such guidance to ADC. While he may make himself available to any other party that will require (his service), service to ADC will be paramount.
“He equally pointed out to the committee that before their prompting, he had put his hands on the ground and there is no looking back; that he will join men and women in the country, and if possible, lead them in retrieving and saving the country from shipwreck.”
