As the presidential election draws nearer, the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan is leaving no stone unturned to see that they get the support of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
There are strong indications that the Jonathan camp over the weekend sent some very powerful emissaries to Abeokuta, the country home of Obasanjo to book an appointment with him to discuss several issues which will brighten the chances of Jonathan in the presidential election.
PM News can report that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not had it so tough to retain its position at the center. Our correspondent reliably gathered that Jonathan had on Saturday sent some very powerful delegates to meet with Baba, as Obasanjo is fondly called, to facilitate the meeting of the president with his estranged former political godfather.
An inside source revealed that some set of people had earlier come on New Year Day to felicitate with the former President and use the opportunity to set the agenda which according to the source, was tactically shunned by Obasanjo.
According to the source, "several people have been coming and as you know yourself, that Baba’s house is like a Mecca and Jerusalem, not only for the politicians but for everybody. Mind you, it is not from Nigeria alone that Baba receive visitors, they come from every part of the world. So, asking who and who have come to Baba is like trying to push beyond your bounds.
"What I can tell you is that on New Year Day, some set of people were here and there were some traditional rulers too. They came to greet Baba as usual for the new year and felicitate with him. It was during their discussion that issue like how Baba will support President Jonathan to finish the good work he has started was raised and several comments and views were aired.
"As you know whom you have, Baba did not stop them or act somehow but the old man tactically and technically waved the matter and asked the visitors to continue praying for peace and tranquility to reign in the country.
"On Saturday again, some set of people were around but this time, they were top echelon, majorly bigwigs in the country. I don’t want to mention any names here. They were with Baba and this time around they made their minds known that they wanted Baba to give them an appointment as they were sent by Mr President to know when he (Jonathan) should come and meet with him (Obasanjo) before the election in February. Baba did not say anything but he will speak at the appropriate time," the source who pleaded anonymity said to our correspondent Monday morning.
It will be recalled that the relationship between Jonathan and Obasanjo has remained sour which has made the latter to distance himself from any activity of the PDP, not only in Ogun State but also at the national level.
Confirming the development, a source from Aso Villa told our correspondent Monday morning on phone that the information was true and its part of Jonathan’s desire to bring all aggrieved party members back on track before the polls.
"Is there anything bad in that, President Jonathan is the leader of this country and as a leader, you must carry all your people along in everything you are doing. Definitely, we will have some who are not satisfied, it is the duty of Mr President to placate them and ensure that the house remains an indivisible one.
"Baba Obasanjo is like a father to President Jonathan and I can assure you that whatever issues are on ground now, will be resolved before the February 14 election. He has made advances to Baba by sending some of Baba’s friends, sons and daughters to him to arrange a convenient and comfortable time, which will not be too long for the two leaders to meet and chart a new course for this country.
"It is no doubt that Obasanjo remains a force to be reckoned with in this country in all sector, especially, in the political arena and President Jonathan, being a good leader listened to the yearnings of Nigerians that he should continue his transformation agenda for the country. It will sound funny and impossible but I tell you that Baba Obasanjo will support President Jonathan during the election," he posited.
The latest utterances and body language of Obasanjo are sending signals to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country, that the former President is seriously working for the opposition to edge out Jonathan from office in 2015.
On 22 December 2014, during the Christmas Carol service of Ogun State held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the former President at the service called on God to "do new thing in the country come next year, (2015)".
When he was invited to address the mammoth crowd who stormed the carol service, he disappointed them all as he turned to singing.
"I and the governor (Ibikunle Amosun) have agreed that all what Baba Adeboye said here tonight is what all of us have said. There is nothing more to say. But you will assist me to sing this song, Nigeria need something new this time around.
"The song goes thus, ‘Do something new in my life and do something new in this country’,” Obasanjo declared.
Today, he will be meeting with all the Iyalodes (Traditional Women leaders) from all the Southwestern States at his Hilltop Presidential Villa in Abeokuta.
Our correspondent gathered that the meeting has to do with the coming elections in the country, as women also have a key role to play in the success and hitch free elections.
A close aide of the Iyalode of Egbaland, who also doubles as the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson confided in our correspondent that the meeting is basically on the directives of where the Yorubas are going ahead of the coming election in the country.
The source also confirmed that Baba Obasanjo will also be meeting with religious leaders, traditional rulers and some eminent personalities from the Yoruba axis before the general elections, added that, “we can’t afford to mix it this time around.”
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