Former president @85 vows to stay off partisan politics

 

Former president Obasanjo Okikiolu Mattew Obasanjo clocks 85 years today (officially)

While addressing the press  on Saturday he  restated his decision to stay off the party politics, saying nothing can make him return to party politics.

Mr Obasanjo made his position known, while addressing reporters shortly after a closed-door meeting with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abeokuta.

The former president said he was contented to remain as an elder statesman, adding that nothing would make him return to party politics.

“I want to emphasise that I am no longer in partisan politics and there is nothing that will bring me back to partisan politics.

“I will always be interested in what is good for Nigeria and anybody who wants to have my advice, I will distinctively give it in the best interest of Nigeria and in the best interest of Africa.

“This is why I have the type of responsibility that I now have in the horn of Africa, which is not an easy thing,” the former president said.

He, however, said that PDP would continue to be part of his life history because he attained unto the position of the president of the country on the platform of the party.

Mr Obasanjo explained that in spite of his retirement from party politics, he could not retire from his commitment to the welfare of the people.

He said: “I have been with the party right from inception.

“Whatever I do in my life, because I became president on the platform of PDP, the party will continue to be part of history of my life.

community.

“Most of the institutions and agencies set up during your tenure, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), are still useful in the country.

“You are very passionate about this country and you did a lot. So, we thought we should come and thank you for what you have done, not just for Nigerians, but also for our party and the African continent.

“I think today, in all modesty, after the departure of late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, there remains only one person of such stature on the African continent.

“We are proud that the person is a Nigerian in the person of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

He explained that “the thought had stuck in his head that he, and every Nigerian, has the responsibility to keep Nigeria united and take it to an enviable height.”

“Though, you retired from partisan politics, partisan politics will never retire from your blood.

“You always want the right thing done and since you want the right thing done, for life, you will remain the emeritus member of the PDP.

“You cannot build a house and leave it to collapse.

“We will continue to contribute our own quotas to the growth of the party and the nation and we will continue to come to you.

Mr Ayu, who described Mr Obasanjo as a ‘de-tribalised’ leader, recalled that the elder statesman once told him that he (Obasanjo), would feel diminished, if anyone limits him to a particular tribe, rather than Nigeria as a country.

“So, I want to plead with you, please don’t be tired of us as we come knocking, asking for your advice and wisdom because the words of elders are the words of wisdom,” he said. (NAN)