Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on
Saturday in Abeokuta said he had no problem with President Goodluck Jonathan as
being speculated in some quarters.
Obasanjo however said he would not
allow himself to be prevented by anyone from discussing pressing national
issues and party affairs.
The former president said this when
the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur,
paid him a visit at his Hilltop Country Home in Abeokuta.Obasanjo told Tukur that his passion,
patriotism and love for the country would not allow him to remain silent on
burning national issues.
He said “If there is anything that
requires my comment, position or views, I will say it. It is only if you kill
me. It is my passion, patriotism and love that will continue to make me state
my views. If I see something inimical to the party’s growth, I will talk.
“And also to disabuse the minds of
rumour mongers, the President is my President. Without Nigeria, there will be
no party. Even when I was in prison, I was not quiet. Those who want me and the
chairman to quarrel; this visit will keep them quiet. But my mouth will not be
quiet.”
Obasanjo also dispelled recent
rumours about his death.
“I am still alive anyway,” he said.
Earlier, the PDP national chairman
said he was in Abeokuta to see Obasanjo for his consistent role in
the party, country and the international community.
On the perennial crisis rocking the
Ogun State chapter of the PDP, Tukur declared, “Whoever that the people have
elected as far as I’m concerned, is the chairman of our party in Ogun.”
“Let me assert that there is no
crisis here in Ogun PDP at all. I have come here because of former President
Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the leader of our party and I’m now the chairman.
“Our principle today is rebuilding
our party based on equity and justice. Because it is only when you give people
the leadership they did not merit that you have a crisis.”