TNN.ng: Obasanjo

Buhari Is So Passionate About Nigeria - Obasanjo

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<b>ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said there is no alternative to President Muhammadu Buhari or his leadership style because of the peculiar period in the country's life.</b></div>
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He urged Nigerians to support Buhari to bring about the desired “change” in the country.</div>
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Obasanjo noted that a lot of things that were left undone in the last six years are hurting the country today but said there is a ray hope in the government of President Buhari that the expected change for the better would soon come.</div>
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The former President made this declaration at the weekend when a delegation of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by the Vice President, Ogunkunade Oluwatoyin, visited him at his residence on Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State.</div>
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Obasanjo who is a former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before quitting party politics early this year, said he stuck out his neck for change during the last general elections because things were no longer going the way it ought to be for the country.</div>
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The former president spoke in response to the demands of the students, particularly as it concerns fighting corruption, security, economy, unemployment and improvement in the standard of education.</div>
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He noted that God loves Nigeria and that he would continue to support and pray for the success of President Buhari and his administration.</div>
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Obasanjo said:</div>
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I will underline what I regard as the most important right now which is key that deals with almost all the points that you raised and that is the issue of leadership. I believe very sincerely that God loves this country. </blockquote>
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I have said it on a number of occasions that when you go through the history of this country, particularly during the pre-independence and how many times we have gone through difficult times but we have not fallen over, you would say like I have said over a number of times that God really loves this country. </blockquote>
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And the general elections you talked about is a typical section of it, many people believe that after that election there will be no more Nigeria, many had even sent their families abroad, to some of us there is no where we can live abroad they will say you with all your mouth that you were running so you can even run out of Nigeria and come here. </blockquote>
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I have nowhere else that I can go and live in except Nigeria. Some said that they know the NADECO route but I do not know the route and I do not want to know it. So God did it almost miraculously and the election took place although some did not want it to take place but it took place. </blockquote>
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And some did help in no small measure to make sure that we got what God has destined for Nigeria. But in the first instance, we must give thanks to God and in the second instance we must thank those that made sure that we had a change and a credible change and the relative peace that we enjoyed before, during and after the election.</blockquote>
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The former president continued:</div>
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The issue of good leadership which was what many of us were clamouring for. There is no angel, for me there is no messiah except Jesus Christ, but there are leaders who are concerned about what is happening in this country, leaders that are so passionate about this country and who are ready to stick out their necks for this country and God has given us such an individual as the President of the country. </blockquote>
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What has happened is an indication that change has come and that our dreams may come true. But all that is required of everyone, young and old, youths and even students is to give unalloyed support to the government and where we believe that we should give criticism that is objective and positive we should give. </blockquote>
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For me these points that you have made about what is going on in this country, about corruption, about the economy, about security, we all know these and that is why some of us prepared to stick out our neck to achieve change because most of these things have not been addressed for the past six years. </blockquote>
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And how can anybody tell us that they will be addressed the next four years but now we have seen a ray of hope, so I will say let us encourage where we need to encourage, let us be objective where we need to be objective, let us show solidarity where we need to show solidarity.</blockquote>
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He added that nobody is too young or too old to give meaningful contribution, "even what you are doing here is part of it, but do not limit it here, let us take it to them, those at the Senate, House of Representatives, those at the state level, men and women of goodwill in this country.”</div>
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According to him: </div>
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God forbid that this present democratic dispensation should fail, because we have no other alternative and that is why I said that the present administration should succeed there is no excuse and that is why I am so concerned about the success of this administration. </blockquote>
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Say whatever you like about me, I pray and I will work for the success of this government. There is no alternative to democracy, the alternative to democracy is even worse than the imperfection of democracy.</blockquote>
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Going down memory lane, the former president said: </div>
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I am a victim of military regime, I was put in jail and meant to be killed (by the Sani Abacha regime). If there was democracy there might have  been fair amount of trial. So I heard you, I note your request and as time goes by when I do have opportunity in the community of leaders when you want me to pass your message, I will deliver your message. </blockquote>
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But one of the things that gives me great concern is youth employment, there is no employment for the youths in this country. Somebody told me that we can admit about seven thousand students in a year but those who seek admission into the university probably double that number. </blockquote>
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We need to be mindful of job creation and wealth creation, it does not matter what university you attended, you must be mindful that job creation and wealth creation to the next generation. </blockquote>
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If you don\t have a target about the actions that you are about to take then you do not have anything to work up to. I believe that having a target is necessary.  Let me give the history of the Nigeria’s civil war. I was one of those who did the appreciation of the war and wrote the order (plan) we thought that the war would end in six months and we made a plan for six months, but the war took 30 months but you cannot just leave it open, it must be an open ended, now fix a target and then those who are to carry it out will know that they have time and space within which to work.</blockquote>
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Buhari Is So Passionate About Nigeria - Obasanjo

ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said there is no alternative to President Muhammadu Buhari or his leadership...

Ooni Sijuwade, June 12 And Why I Called Obasanjo A Judas - Awujale

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<b>IJEBU-ODE, NIGERIA - The late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade's role in the aftermath of the annulment of the 1993 presidential election is widely thought to have been less than noble. In <i>Awujale</i>, the recently released autobiography of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sijuade's connivance with those who annulled the election is brought into sharp focus.</b></div>
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His position as the most revered traditional ruler in Yorubaland has not innoculated Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife, from public scorn. Since 1993, much of the mystique around him has been eroded, largely through the carnage sparked by the controversial annulment of the 1993 presidential election, a.k.a June 12. Oba Sijuade came out of the annulment saga with grave reputational injuries from which he is yet to, and may not, recover, given the decision of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, to re-invite public attention to Sijuwade's role in one of the most grotesque episodes in Yoruba and Nigerian history.</div>
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The medium chosen by Oba Adetona is <i><b>Awujale</b></i>, his recently released autobiography, in which the 11th chapter is dedicated to the annulment and the struggle for the de-annulment of the election won by the late Chief M.K.O Abiola.</div>
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In <b><i>Awujale</i></b>, Adetona presents what can hardly be described as a worm's eye view. And in the book, the Ooni does not come out smelling like roses. As one of the most prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, Adetona was regularly invited to meetings with General Ibrahim Babangida, the military president that annulled the election and installed an Interim National Government, ING, headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan.</div>
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As the widespread anger provoked by the annulment and Babangida's ING contraption raged, the former military president hoped to limit the damage to his reputation and that of his government, appealing to leaders from all the country's geo-political zones, especially the South-West, which felt wounded because of Abiola.</div>
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For one of those meetings in Abuja, writes Adetona in <i><b>Awujale</b></i>, he arrived on a Thursday. The meeting was to hold the next day. While in his hotel room on the day of arrival, Adetona called the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to say that there was a need for a meeting of Yoruba traditional rulers, where they could arrive at a common position to be presented at the next day's meeting with Babangida. Adeyemi agreed. Adetona then suggested that there was also a need to inform the Ooni and asked Adeyemi to accompany him to Sijuwade's room.</div>
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Adeyemi, however, was not keen because of the rivalry, over superiority, between him and the Ooni. Eventually, he gave in. The late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, Oba of Lagos, was also informed. He agreed that a meeting was required, but refused to accompany them to the Ooni's suite. However, he said he would support whatever position the meeting adopted.</div>
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In the Ooni's suite, Adetona and Adeyemi met the Ife monarch dining with (now late) Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano. Another Yoruba monarch, Oba Frederick Aroloye, the Owa of Idanre, writes Adetona, sat in a corner. When the two dining monarchs finished their meals, they went into the Ooni's room for a discussion, after which the Ooni came out to meet Adetona and Adeyemi.</div>
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When we told the Ooni the purpose of our meeting, he said he had met the Northern Emirs. Their position was the same as ours. We asked how and he said that they wanted a fresh meeting to be called of the Council of State along with us. The Council of State, as enshrined in the constitution, has powers to advise the President, Adetona writes.</blockquote>
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But what the Northern traditional rulers wanted was not exactly what the Yoruba monarchs wanted.</div>
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Our mandate from the Yorubas was that the election had been concluded and our son was clearly the winner. So, all we wanted was that they should just simply release the results, the author explains.</blockquote>
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Adetona then insisted that if a Council of State meeting was to be called, it should be for the purpose of ensuring that the election was de-annulled and the wish of the people respected. The Ooni agreed. But the Alaafin, writes Adetona, said there was no need for another meeting because the key members of the Council had already expressed their opposition to the annulment.</div>
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When Adetona and the Alaafin left the Ooni, they went to discuss seating arrangements for the next day's meeting with the other Yoruba traditional rulers. Apparently suspicious that the Ooni could switch positions, the monarchs agreed that they would sit in a way that would ensure that the Ife monarch was hemmed between two of them "so as to forestall any wavering of position".</div>
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The planned sitting arrangement was foiled. As the traditional rulers walked into the venue of the meeting, they found seats that bore each attendee's name. Babangida came in, explained the position of the government and sought reactions from his audience. The first came from Ibrahim Dasuki, then Sultan of Sokoto, who said very little apart from accusing the government of using traditional rulers to quell crises brought upon the nation by the government itself.</div>
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He suggested that Babangida should invite members of the Council of State to join the traditional rulers in the discussion of the annulment. The Ooni was the next to speak and presented the position of the Yoruba obas: declaration of Abiola as the winner.</div>
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It was something the meeting had not expected. "You could have heard a pin drop", writes Adetona. Next was Bayero, who expressed no opposition to what the Ooni said, but called for a fresh Council of State meeting. After him spoke the Oba of Benin, who condemned the annulment and rejected calls for a Council of State meeting.</div>
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The natural rulers continued turning the heat on Babangida. According to Adetona, Gbong Gwon Jos, the late Chief Fom Bot, told the meeting that he could not return to his domain if Babangida did not to de-annul the election, as his subjects had demanded, and asked the former president to find accommodation for him in Abuja. A traditional ruler from the South-East, Adetona writes, was more dramatic, telling Babangida to quit as president. "Please go. Please go", he shouted.</div>
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Then Babangida cut in, explaining that the decision to annul or de-annul was not solely his, but that of the military heirachy. He kept on calling on others to speak, but the obas observed that he was calling only people who sat to his right. The obas sat to his left. This drew a protest from the Alaafin, who Babangida was forced to ask to speak.</div>
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The Oyo monarch insisted that another Council of State meeting was needless because the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a member, was out of the country, while some other key members had expressed their disapproval of the annulment in the media. Other traditional rulers told Babangida that he should save the country from a huge crisis by respecting the wishes of Nigerians.</div>
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Then, Babangida attempted one more throw of the dice. In a somewhat emotional tone, he told the meeting how close he and Abiola were. His government, he added, had paid Abiola hefty debts owed him by previous regimes. The sum, Babangida said, was about $600million. The scent of money scrambled a particular royal head - the Ooni's.</div>
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When he heard this piece of information, the Ooni became angry and said something to the effect that if Babangida paid him (Ooni) that much, he would be living on the Island of Capri in Italy, Adetona writes.</blockquote>
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Sijuade then got up to go to the toilet. Adetona followed, spewing criticisms at his fellow Oba for going against what the Yoruba traditional rulers had agreed on. After the meeting, watched by Uche Chukwumerije, Information Secretary in the Interim National Government, the Ooni told journalists that he was in support of Babangida's position that a fresh election should be held and that the Obas should return to their domains and tell their people to prepare for the election.</div>
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Adetona thought he had not heard Ooni right. </div>
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To assure myself that what I heard was true, I invited one of the reporters, who was there when the Ooni was speaking to my room. This was a reporter from <i>The Nigerian Tribune</i>. Fortunately, the Alaafin was with me when the reporter played the tape for us. We were stunned, the Awujale writes.</blockquote>
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From his hotel room, the Ooni called Adetona on the intercom and announced gleefully that he had told the world (through the media) of the Yoruba position. Adetona replied that he was not sure that Sijuwade's claim was correct. Adetona, accompanied by the Alaafin and the reporter, went over to Sijuwade's room. The Ooni repeated his claim that he presented the Yoruba position to the press.</div>
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He was instantly put to shame, when the reporter was asked to play his tape, which contained the opposite of Ooni's claim. Adetona and the Alaafin then pressured Ooni into granting another interview, restating the position of the Yoruba. He did and the reporter was asked to take the interview to media houses for publication the next day. The interview was published by newspapers the next day, but Chukwumerije had caused the first interview to be used on the network news of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.</div>
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In the book, the Awujale was unsparing in his attack on former Nigerian leader, Olusegun Obasanjo. He described him as a Judas, "who would betray his people", who lacks credibility and squandered "the enormous goodwill", which he carried into office "with a performance that left him with a second term short of tangible achievements."</div>
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Oba Adetona recalled an event on 24 July 2002, the late Abraham Adesanya's 80th birthday in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, when in a ride with Obasanjo to a makeshift helipad he told Obasanjo how disappointed he had become over Obasanjo's pussy-footing on the issue of federalism. "This was the dividing line for me in our relationship", Awujale recalled.</div>
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Adesanya's birthday presented an opportunity for him to tell Obasanjo how he felt about him, when they rode together in a Mercedes Benz limousine, with former Ogun governor, Olusegun Osoba, as witness.</div>
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It was going to be a short trip but I had something to say and so it had to be said quickly enough while the three of us shared some privacy. I said there was a time when I had trusted Obasanjo so much so that I could swear by his name, but that the trust was now gone. Obasanjo asked why. I answered that Obasanjo was no longer credible. </blockquote>
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The Oba recalled further in the book, that at another time when he visited Obasanjo in Aso Rock, Obasanjo revisited their earlier conversation during which he told the Awujale, accusatorily, that he painted him a Judas. Awujale reconfirmed the labeling according to his account.</div>
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I told him that I not only remembered but still maintained that he was a Judas who would betray his people…I had no qualms about speaking plainly to him. In high office, people who surround leaders tend to skirt around the truth, Awujale wrote.</blockquote>
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The Awujale was clearly not impressed by Obasanjo's tenure as Nigeria's leader. </div>
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Eight years in office was ample time to put electricity on a very strong footing. Eight years was enough to put down a strong foot against corruption and make a clear difference. Eight years was adequate for orderliness and the rule of law to triumph in every facet of our society. These were the basis upon which I gave my support for the office, he submitted.</blockquote>
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<b>As seen posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153544278459583&set=a.10150641418229583.405875.757984582&type=1&fref=nf">Facebook</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/d1.ayekooto?fref=photo">D-one Ayekooto</a></b></div>
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Ooni Sijuwade, June 12 And Why I Called Obasanjo A Judas - Awujale

IJEBU-ODE, NIGERIA - The late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade's role in the aftermath of the annulment of the 1993 presidential el...

[TRIBUTE]: The Oba Okunade Sijuwade I knew - By Olusegun Obasanjo

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<b>I do appreciate the immense pain that the unfortunate death of the Late Oba Okunade Sijuwade has caused his Oloris, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire people of the Kingdom of Ife in particular and Osun State in general, who must be grieving at the demise of the Oba. </b></div>
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Oba Sijuwade was, undoubtedly, a very eminent citizen and his death will be felt not only by his people but indeed, the entire nation. We can, nevertheless, be consoled from knowing that Oba Sijuwade has gone to rest in the bosom of his Maker and left behind him a good name and worthy legacy. Indeed, ‘Erin wo’.</div>
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We have been inspired, over the years, by Oba Sijuwade’s most impressive career as a tested manager of men and resources, a proprietor of repute, and an industrialist of distinction. From the Tribune Group where he had his early experience in the private sector through the Leventis family and therefrom into private entrepreneurship, he truly distinguished himself as a businessman of note.</div>
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His attainments, over the years, surely culminated in his unanimous nomination and coronation as the Ooni Olubuse II of Ile-Ife since November 1980. In this capacity, he functioned as Chancellor of the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State in 1988. It is a measure of his selfless and qualitative service to our dear country that he was honoured with the revered national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, by former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1983.</div>
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The late Oba Sijuwade was a patriotic and highly respected traditional ruler who had immeasurable love for his people and great faith in a united Nigeria. I remember his firmness in support of Government at all levels when I was President of Nigeria. His staunch support was appreciated and would always be remembered for it. He, accordingly, stood out as a voice of honesty and forthrightness in national affairs. He was at the same time a fervent promoter of mutual tolerance and understanding not only among the diverse people who lived in his domain but also across the country. The toga of acrimony, thuggery and violence which stigmatized the politics and the people of Ife and Modakeke for many years was permanently brought to an end by him with the support of his royal colleagues. Today, there can be no gainsaying that his nearly four-decade reign was marked by unprecedented peace-making and lasting peace and prosperity in Ife and Modadeke.</div>
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The late Oba followed the tradition of his great predecessors. He was a great traditional leader, urbane and respected by his subjects. His influence transcended the Kingdom of Ife and, indeed, Osun State. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional rulers across Nigeria and beyond the shore of Nigeria and was very well respected among his counterparts from the South, North and East. He was a unifying force not just in Ife but in the whole of the South Western zone and beyond.</div>
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Oba Sijuwade’s journey to meet his ancestors means an irreplaceable loss to his family, his people, Osun State and, indeed, Nigeria. For those of us who knew Oba Sijuwade closely for many years, the good times we shared, the successes we achieved together and the lessons we learned are as consoling as the legacy he left behind. Only about ten days ago he invited me to Ife to share with him his views and feelings on some national and community issues. It was like a parting shot.</div>
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Oba Sijuwade may no longer be with us but his legacy endures. He had a vision for his Kingdom and pursued it with every resource available to him. We must not let that vision for the greatness of Ife and the entire Yorubaland depart with him.</div>
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As we bid farewell to this great Nigerian, let us rededicate ourselves to the values he cherished and lived by such as love of the country and community as well as the readiness to help the less fortunate at all times.</div>
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On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences on the final transition of Alaiyeluwa Okunade Sijuwade and pray that the Almighty God grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.</div>
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May the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace.</div>
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<b>Culled from <a href="http://blogs.premiumtimesng.com/?p=168434">Premium Times</a></b></div>
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[TRIBUTE]: The Oba Okunade Sijuwade I knew - By Olusegun Obasanjo

I do appreciate the immense pain that the unfortunate death of the Late Oba Okunade Sijuwade has caused his Oloris, children, grandchildr...

Obasanjo In Aso Villa To Puncture Jonathan's Move For Leniency

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<b>ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former military Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and other members of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 general elections were rattled by the stubborn posture and utterance of President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with him on Monday. </b></div>
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Mr. Abubakar had led members of the National Peace Committee in yet another mission to plead with Mr. Buhari not to probe the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.</div>
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However, several participants at Monday's meeting told <b><a href="http://saharareporters.com/2015/08/11/corruption-probe-peace-committee-shocked-meeting-president-buhari">SaharaReporters</a></b> that the president remained obstinate and made no secret of his determination to proceed with the probe. </div>
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<i>SaharaReporters</i> learnt that Monday's meeting was a stepped up version of previous failed attempts to sway Mr. Buhari from his determination to probe acts of corruption by officials of Mr. Jonathan's administration. <i>SaharaReporters</i> had revealed that former Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku visited President Buhari to press the case for letting bygone be bygone shortly before the latter’s departure for an official visit to the US. Our sources had disclosed that Mr. Anyaoku had undertaken his mission to the president at the behest of Mr. Jonathan. </div>
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After Mr. Buhari's return from the US, President Jonathan stepped up maneuvers to talk him into discontinuing the probe of his administration. </div>
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A source close to the former president told <i>SaharaReporters </i>that Mr. Buhari's pronouncements that his government would probe his predecessor had contributed to a major health crisis that beset former First Lady Patience Jonathan. </div>
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"Madam [Mrs. Jonathan] has been suffering from serious depression," said a source. Ms. Alison-Madueke has also had a share of ill health apparently triggered by being the focus of global attention for symbolizing the pervasive corruption of the past administration. A source close to her in the UK stated that she collapsed in her posh apartment in London due to "exhaustion" and had to be hospitalized for two days. </div>
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Last week, former President Jonathan reached out to former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and urged him to arrange a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Buhari to discuss his concerns. President Buhari agreed to a secret meeting with the former president last Thursday in the dead of the night. A source familiar with the meeting told <i>SaharaReporters </i>that Mr. Jonathan appeared jittery at the meeting and was unable to articulate the case against probing his government. Instead, the former president reportedly asked mundane questions about how Buhari was coping with governing the country and offered to help in any way.</div>
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The meeting was over in less than 30 minutes. </div>
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Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was so incensed on hearing about Mr. Buhari's meeting with Mr. Jonathan that he called at the Presidential Villa 24 hours later to meet with Mr. Buhari behind closed doors. </div>
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A source at the Presidency revealed that Mr. Obasanjo, whose record of corruption as president was equally monumental, urged Mr. Buhari to send former President Jonathan to jail. </div>
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Another source stated that Mr. Obasanjo volunteered to use his international contacts to help trace the funds stolen during Mr. Jonathan's administration, adding that much of the funds were laundered through arms deals as well as shady oil sales and swaps.</div>
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On learning of former President Obasanjo's ominous mission to Aso Rock, Mr. Jonathan reportedly contacted General Abubakar (rtd) again, this time pleading with the retired general to intercede with Mr. Buhari. </div>
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Monday, Mr. Abubakar and fellow members of the National Peace Committee first met with President Buhari in a closed-door session before appearing before the media. A member of the committee revealed that their team first told President Buhari that they had come to discuss how to "wind up' and to check if there was a new national assignment they could undertake.</div>
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The source also revealed that, even though the committee did not mention former President Jonathan by name during their interaction with Mr. Buhari, the committee members cautioned against leaving the impression that the government was targeting "anybody". They also appealed to Mr. Buhari to tarry a little before deciding on probing anybody. </div>
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A source at the Presidency stated that Mr. Buhari was well aware of the committee's secret mission, hence his decision to speak forthrightly in response. Among the committee's members is a controversial President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, a loyalist of Mr. Jonathan. His private jet was involved in an arms deal scandal after South African authorities discovered, and confiscated, $9.3 million in cash inside the aircraft. The Jonathan administration then stated that the funds were meant for the purchase of arms to prosecute the war against Islamist insurgents, Boko Haram. </div>
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Officials of the Buhari administration disclosed that the Presidency had already identified and was investigating acts of corruption involving former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and former Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke. In addition, our sources said the new administration was pursuing leads about huge corrupt deals involving former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, former Attorney general, Mohammaed Bello Adoke, the Amnesty Office, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Federal Capital Territory. In one instance, more than $1 million dollars in cash was found at the residence of Gordon Obuah, a former Chief Security Officer to Mr. Jonathan. </div>
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"We are also looking at properties purchased in Ghana, Dubai, UK and US by various officials of the immediate past administration," one source disclosed.</div>
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He added that one of the biggest means of money laundering was the reckless purchase of private jets by former cohorts of Mr. Jonathan. </div>
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At the end of the meeting yesterday, President Buhari made it clear to members of the committee that his government would soon commence trial of Nigerian treasury looters.</div>
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Obasanjo In Aso Villa To Puncture Jonathan's Move For Leniency

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former military Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and other members of the National Peace Committee for ...

Nobody Is Good In Obasanjo's Eyes - Osoba

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<b>LAGOS, NIGERIA - A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is too critical of people and sees nothing good in anyone.</b></div>
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Osoba said this during an interview with journalists in Lagos on Saturday.</div>
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He said this while reacting to Obasanjo's claim that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was never the leader of the Yoruba but was only elected leader by his supporters.</div>
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He said: </div>
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I would not like to judge Chief Obasanjo because as I am trying to put the facts straight, I don't want to join him in condemnation of individuals. I respect him for his own strong points and weaknesses. But one thing I disagree with him is his condemnation of virtually everybody and even those around him. </div>
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Wole Soyinka is not good, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is not good, Atiku Abubakar is not good, Reuben Aabati is useless, Doyin Okupe is not to be associated with. Who then is good?</div>
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Osoba said even the dead were not spared of unfair criticism by Obasanjo. He noted that even MKO Abiola, who gave his life for democracy, did not escape Obasanjo's criticism.</div>
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He said this was unfortunate because without Abiola, Obasanjo would never have emerged President.</div>
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He said: </div>
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Whether he likes it or not, MKO Abiola will forever be the symbol and hero of modern day democracy in Nigeria. When Abiola couldn’t negotiate his freedom by signing away his mandate to General Sani Abacha, he laid down his life and I expect Chief Obasanjo to understand the fact that he became a beneficiary and should see Abiola as a hero. </div>
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Nobody can claim to be the only hero in any society. Society is a team. Within our Egba community, the Ransome-Kutis are heroes. Their mother was an activist, Fela was an acitivist, Beko Ransome-Kuti was an activist. Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti took his father's nature. He was a gentleman but was also an activist with his philosophy of primary healthcare. </div>
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Wole Soyinka is a hero, Ebenezer Obey is a hero; he recorded over 50 records and delivered philosophical lyrics. Akintola Williams, an Egba man, is the first accountant and is still worshipped today. Society is the totality of a team. A tree can never make a forest and that is where I disagree with Chief Obasanjo. To reduce Soyinka to a wine connoisseur hurts me.</div>
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The veteran journalist, who described Obasanjo's book, <b>My Watch</b>, as a distortion of history, said Awolowo was unanimously elected as the leader of the Yoruba in 1966 shortly before the civil war.</div>
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He said Obasanjo was privy to the meeting where Awolowo was elected but only wanted to denigrate the late sage for reasons best known to him.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/nobody-is-good-in-obasanjos-eyes-says-osoba/">The Punch</a></b></div>
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Nobody Is Good In Obasanjo's Eyes - Osoba

LAGOS, NIGERIA - A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is too critical of peo...

[PHOTOS]: Obasanjo Visits Buhari At Aso Villa

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<b>ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.</b></div>
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The two leaders met Friday, away from public glare.</div>
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A source close to the former president said Obasanjo visited President Buhari to commend the president for "doing well so far" and to also offer words of encouragement.</div>
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"Baba was surely at the Villa to give encouragement to the president to make sure that the new experiment does not fail", the source said.</div>
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It was also gathered that the two leaders discussed a number of national issues and Mr. Obasanjo offered his advice to Mr. Buhari.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqaysBanmbfZemleqbYjaI4jGkWyxmYVXIVVGu9KFKAsxre9xUpyxTBfUGOpaC-JjdOZ7WJUD_iL_yL4tZhFAjYOYGXBbZHrzsAFoRfA1sIPoZuPdZ4_Tm93vksB-7QXIRQFwPnr5CdoY/s1600/PMB+OBJ2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqaysBanmbfZemleqbYjaI4jGkWyxmYVXIVVGu9KFKAsxre9xUpyxTBfUGOpaC-JjdOZ7WJUD_iL_yL4tZhFAjYOYGXBbZHrzsAFoRfA1sIPoZuPdZ4_Tm93vksB-7QXIRQFwPnr5CdoY/s1600/PMB+OBJ2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Friday's visit was Mr. Obasanjo's first to the villa since Mr. Buhari was elected president on March 28 and inaugurated on May 29, 2015.</div>
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Mr. Obasanjo announced his retirement from politics ahead of the elections, but said he will offer his support to the new president as necessary.</div>
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He named a team of Nigerians who proffered recommendations on how Mr. Buhari could kick-start his administration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kP4p-OrZIydL2Gpz3LGQcxkJllMBBIWTJz_SetEAWmzP3KfsA1hIdFt_f2ZiAkhPmbJxzbnLfMjWWbJaxmidU_-s-krcSmAey8Un1vhEbAOXi6ImxKrxOa38V8uAviiiwCbH1Q3NDtaL/s1600/PMB+OBJ3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kP4p-OrZIydL2Gpz3LGQcxkJllMBBIWTJz_SetEAWmzP3KfsA1hIdFt_f2ZiAkhPmbJxzbnLfMjWWbJaxmidU_-s-krcSmAey8Un1vhEbAOXi6ImxKrxOa38V8uAviiiwCbH1Q3NDtaL/s1600/PMB+OBJ3.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was unclear if some of the recommendations formed part of the discussions between the two leaders Friday.</div>
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The former president could not be reached Saturday.</div>
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President Buhari's spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said although he did not see the former president at the Villa Friday, it was possible he visited when most staff had retired for the day.</div>
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[PHOTOS]: Obasanjo Visits Buhari At Aso Villa

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. The two...

Leave Jonathan Out of Your Criticism, Fayose Tells Obasanjo

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj3HRKdin1w7jNh5vdhi0zXwCYlfABi5pL318NoDSth3fVcHBOuO-l_x6wkYq05li3pVIKjMO_BYiakdN0DiM6p9QfncjRTBEGebvJ_8YrVX2g8SId4fN6MEJdEgK39thVBnTRtMkAsBP/s1600/GEJ+OBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj3HRKdin1w7jNh5vdhi0zXwCYlfABi5pL318NoDSth3fVcHBOuO-l_x6wkYq05li3pVIKjMO_BYiakdN0DiM6p9QfncjRTBEGebvJ_8YrVX2g8SId4fN6MEJdEgK39thVBnTRtMkAsBP/s1600/GEJ+OBJ.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>EKITI, NIGERIA - Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has urged former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to stop attacking the immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, saying; "Dr Goodluck Jonathan is no longer the president of Nigeria, he should be allowed to live a private life devoid of mudslinging from elder statesmen like Chief Obasanjo."</b></div>
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Governor Fayose said he was miffed that former President Obasanjo could choose the 11th Convocation Lecture of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) Benin, Edo State to say that "<a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/07/jonathan-is-solely-responsible-for-his.html">performance of Jonathan while in office will hunt the people of the South-South region for a long time to come</a>."</div>
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In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said the people of the South South had already demonstrated their approval of Jonathan's performance while in office by voting overwhelmingly for him on March 28 despite the gang-up orchestrated by Chief Obasanjo and his allies.</div>
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Most importantly, Jonathan's performance as a democrat has been widely acknowledged locally and internationally, particularly by President Mohammadu Buhari, who on many occasions acknowledged the role he (Jonathan) played in midwifing a peaceful and successful transition programme, thereby averting the feared crisis in the country. </div>
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This is in contrast to Baba Obasanjo, who tried third term when he was about concluding his constitutional two terms. And who knows whether he would have tried fourth term if he had succeeded with his third term agenda? </div>
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The reality is, assuming but not conceding that Jonathan performed below expectation, democratic governance that he established in Nigeria is more important than any other performance that Obasanjo alluded to, the governor said.</div>
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Speaking further, Governor Fayose urged Obasanjo to stop running other Nigerians down, saying: "We are all stakeholders in the country Nigeria. It is wrong for any Nigerian no matter how highly placed to go about carrying himself around as the only honest and lover of the country."</div>
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The governor said: "Since Baba Obasanjo has openly destroyed his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card, he is free to go about seeking relevance in the All Progressives Congress (APC) without running anyone down."</div>
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He said people living in glass houses should avoid throwing stones, adding that Nigerians know those involved in the Halliburton scandal and people who are yet to be cleared of their alleged complicity in a scam like Halliburton lacked moral rights to brand other people as corrupt, the <i><b><a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/obasanjo-should-let-jonathan-be-fayose/">Vanguard</a> </b></i>newspaper reports.</div>
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Leave Jonathan Out of Your Criticism, Fayose Tells Obasanjo

EKITI, NIGERIA - Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has urged former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to stop attacking the imme...

Jonathan is Solely Responsible For His Actions As President - Obasanjo

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtARnRFv-blO4Zh0VnY34nWCd3s5ajnOOv2C0XEhkSrf6bas8NFH3BrX-wSYHkUQoCrps4gmJ3kTGGTzvESivjjz0gcXa_wXGI83cPVqNAmIVsKg7ZR6huT-3-61jsss18cCIpzxj5Jab/s1600/GEJ+OBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtARnRFv-blO4Zh0VnY34nWCd3s5ajnOOv2C0XEhkSrf6bas8NFH3BrX-wSYHkUQoCrps4gmJ3kTGGTzvESivjjz0gcXa_wXGI83cPVqNAmIVsKg7ZR6huT-3-61jsss18cCIpzxj5Jab/s1600/GEJ+OBJ.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>BENIN CITY, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said the South-South geopolitical zone would reflect the performance of the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the area.</b></div>
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Obasanjo stated this while fielding questions from members of the audience shortly after delivering a lecture at the 11th convocation of the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Edo State.</div>
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He explained that the 2011 presidential election had presented the South-South an opportunity to produce the number one citizen of the country, as a minority zone, and would bear the consequences of his decisions as President for six years.</div>
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He also said what the former President did while in office was entirely his.</div>
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When asked whether he did not share any responsibility in the performance of Jonathan as an elder statesman and former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Obasanjo said:</div>
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I have also said that you can help anybody to get a job, but you cannot help him to do it. Let us get it clear, there is nobody who has got into any position who has not been helped by one person or more than one person. </div>
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To become Nigeria's Head of State, it was first of all my performance in the war front. Now, if General Yakubu Gowon had not sent me to the war front, you won't know whether I can perform or cannot perform. </div>
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Now he sent me to the war front, I thank him for it. And because I performed, we shared the credit. If I have failed, Gowon would not have shared the credit; he would not have shared the condemnation with me. I will be alone. </div>
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Yes as I have said, I believe that opportunity that afforded itself in 2010 to somebody from the minority tribe to become the President of Nigeria; he should never lose the opportunity. </div>
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And don't forget what he did or did not do with it will reflect for a long time on that part of the country and don't take that lightly. </div>
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What he did or did not do with it will reflect for a long time on that part of the country. But nobody will be there who will not be helped, but you voted for him, I was not the only one among 18 million voters who voted for him.</div>
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On the leadership crisis rocking the 8th National Assembly, the former President said that the Assembly was experiencing "growing up hiccups" which he said was normal in a democratic system.</div>
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He said: "You know normally when you are growing up, you have what they call growing up hiccups. And that is nothing to worry about.</div>
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"It is part of growing up in our democracy."</div>
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The former President, however, expressed concern over the high rate of youth unemployment in the country.</div>
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He said the challenge could leave Nigeria sitting on a keg of gunpowder if left unchecked.</div>
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Obasanjo said: "Whichever way you look at it, we have a large proportion of our youths who are unemployed. It doesn't matter the statistics you use; at one time, they say it was 50 per cent. At another time, they say they rebased; we are never tired of rebasing in this country.</div>
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"They rebased and say it is 25 per cent. Even if it is 25 per cent, that will be about 25 million (unemployed) people.</div>
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"If we do not do something about it, we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder because the youths that are unemployed will be angry and restless and any spark will set them off."</div>
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Jonathan is Solely Responsible For His Actions As President - Obasanjo

BENIN CITY, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday said the South-South geopolitical zone would reflect the performance...

[REVEALED]: Iyabo Said I Would Die In Office – Obasanjo

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuFWLTMj5Gqhpq1M4cTNvzZPvkNlJC_UPjZpS866cfc0w3FYWdW0bfDL1YcMmErJwmtbso6lQL0kU2PCZBrP9L3VziBgZIXhQdSrPnEJ_BwzJcWCRULBA-iFJU6ckucBMx5i9t5fAesBR/s1600/OBJ+with+Iyabo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuFWLTMj5Gqhpq1M4cTNvzZPvkNlJC_UPjZpS866cfc0w3FYWdW0bfDL1YcMmErJwmtbso6lQL0kU2PCZBrP9L3VziBgZIXhQdSrPnEJ_BwzJcWCRULBA-iFJU6ckucBMx5i9t5fAesBR/s1600/OBJ+with+Iyabo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his eldest daughter, Dr Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, told him he was going to die in office.</b></div>
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The former President also said his daughter said if that should happen, she would not weep for him.</div>
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The former President said he, nevertheless, replied his daughter that such would not mean anything to him since he would not be there to appreciate it.</div>
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Obasanjo, who said this in his controversial book, <b>MY WATCH</b>, said that was Iyabo's submission when he informed her and three of his other children about his desire to contest the 1999 Presidential election.</div>
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The meeting with the four children, which he said came after he had consulted almost all those that mattered before joining the presidential race, was held in New York.</div>
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He said it was ironic that Iyabo became a senator during his tenure.</div>
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Meanwhile, before being elected a senator, Iyabo was appointed a commissioner by Otunba Gbenga Daniel, while he was serving as governor of Ogun State.</div>
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Obasanjo said:</div>
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My mind was almost made up (to vie for the position of President) but I had to consult with my children. I got four of them together in New York. </div>
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I told them I was going to decide whether to go into politics or not. Iyabo was the most antagonistic. </div>
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She burst out loudly, 'I know you will join and you will die there and if you die, I will not weep.' </div>
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I told her 'if I die and you weep, it is for yourself and others, not for me as I will not know you are weeping.' </div>
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It is ironic that within 10 years, Iyabo became a Senator and I completed two terms of eight years without a scratch.</div>
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The former President added that out of the four children in attendance when he spoke with them, it was only Segun who he said, had a few words of encouragement.</div>
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The son, according to Obasanjo, said: "Daddy, you have always said that we must serve God and humanity and if this is the way you have chosen to serve God and humanity, I will pray for you."</div>
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With those words from his son coupled with the words of encouragement he said he got from those he had spoken with earlier, the Owu-born retired general said "the die was almost cast".</div>
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In the book, Obasanjo also mentioned the names of his 21 children. He was however silent on the number of his wives or the mothers of the children.</div>
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Five of the children are holders of PhD in different fields.</div>
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The children are Iyabo (PhD), who is the eldest; Busola, Segun(PhD), Gbenga(PhD), Deboye, Muyiwa, Funke, Bola (PhD) and Seun (PhD).</div>
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Also listed were Dare, Kofo, Dayo, Biyi, Bisoye, Damilola, Jonwo, Bunmi, Funso, Dayo, Toyosi and Bukola.</div>
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The listing and mentioning of the names of his children was the first time the two-time President of Nigeria, would publicly talk about his children.</div>
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[REVEALED]: Iyabo Said I Would Die In Office – Obasanjo

ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his eldest daughter, Dr Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, told him he was ...

#Inauguration: Obasanjo Arrives Eagle Square, Greets Foreign Leaders Present

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6fJ275MHABiU-475poAAZga8kff3EV1wcXeB4XJaktI3XLZv1ZfU1OWD6-wo1K97OQfFdz6-_uE1TT3H4HleecdRolvjUAPbnodUTR0zbaYY19u4YKcEj6kAclKjJz4AofhqERtI4-ij/s1600/In002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6fJ275MHABiU-475poAAZga8kff3EV1wcXeB4XJaktI3XLZv1ZfU1OWD6-wo1K97OQfFdz6-_uE1TT3H4HleecdRolvjUAPbnodUTR0zbaYY19u4YKcEj6kAclKjJz4AofhqERtI4-ij/s1600/In002.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has joined his colleagues-former Presidents and Heads of State at the Eagle Square in Abuja.</b></div>
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On arrival at the State Box, Obasanjo exchanged greetings with the leaders already seated before moving to greet leaders from other countries who are also seated at the Eagle Square.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LYpcC7RAymiCTD_c0A4K3LPz4VveAnDTzsTF58jxWmAt1U3YH9mwYuwvh3MUrU418HPnZwcbOkfu26umFq5MDA6DUn3QpqSElah7iL96OKcwZVHU_-CBIwbdrfIPS14tyn4C41WnhgoC/s1600/In003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LYpcC7RAymiCTD_c0A4K3LPz4VveAnDTzsTF58jxWmAt1U3YH9mwYuwvh3MUrU418HPnZwcbOkfu26umFq5MDA6DUn3QpqSElah7iL96OKcwZVHU_-CBIwbdrfIPS14tyn4C41WnhgoC/s1600/In003.jpg" /></a></div>
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#Inauguration: Obasanjo Arrives Eagle Square, Greets Foreign Leaders Present

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has joined his colleagues-former Presidents and Heads of State at the Eagle Square in Abuja. On a...

Jonathan Commiserates With Obasanjo Over Sister's Death

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXRHGk55nsg-hpoRh1fu9DUTC-BKpoZsvElo13-JUyai38txnuzh8mHTTvVxGaUzeN6JQnQPxoX3-c5ml_0hgCSbFHqqh3e67DCF-aqaJx0zS9tmqolkj3SfgqnKq1OGUFaidhPZ2XHAb/s1600/GEJ+OBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXRHGk55nsg-hpoRh1fu9DUTC-BKpoZsvElo13-JUyai38txnuzh8mHTTvVxGaUzeN6JQnQPxoX3-c5ml_0hgCSbFHqqh3e67DCF-aqaJx0zS9tmqolkj3SfgqnKq1OGUFaidhPZ2XHAb/s1600/GEJ+OBJ.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>President Goodluck Jonathan seems to have improved on his relationship with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, after sending him a rare message of commiseration on the death of his sister, Adunni Oluniola Eweje-Obasanjo.</b></div>
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Since Obasanjo's letter to the president went viral in December 2013, the president stopped all forms of felicitation or commiseration with the former head of state.</div>
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Before then, though, Jonathan had "nothing but the greatest respect for Obasanjo" and he had said he would not probe his benefactor.</div>
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"The president has nothing but the greatest respect for Chief Obasanjo's very notable contributions to national growth and development over many years and far from taking offence or seeking retaliation, will always welcome objective criticism and advice from the very highly-regarded elder statesman", Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, wrote in 2013.</div>
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Evidence of a sour relationship between the duo came to fore in December, when Abati, speaking for Jonathan, said Obasanjo's letter was "mischievous, provocative and self-serving".</div>
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Jonathan ordered his aides not to join issues with the 78-year-old retired general, saying he himself would respond appropriately.</div>
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"The president himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State".</div>
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Jonathan conspicuously avoided sending public wishes to Obasanjo on his birthdays in 2014 and 2015, against his tradition in the previous years.</div>
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In 2015, Jonathan sacked Martin Luther Agwai as chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) for preaching "change" at Obasanjo's 78th birthday in March.</div>
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The latest commiseration with Obasanjo suggests that the bad blood between the two presidents has become history.</div>
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"The president joins Chief Obasanjo and his family in mourning the late Madam Eweje-Obasanjo who passed away recently at the age of 76", the commiseration message read in part.</div>
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"As they mourn her, President Jonathan urges Chief Obasanjo and his family to be consoled by the knowledge that his late sister lived a worthy and very fulfilled life in the service of her family and community.</div>
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"The President prays that God will grant Chief Obasanjo and his family the fortitude to bear the loss of Madam Eweje-Obasanjo. He similarly prays that God will receive Madam Eweje-Obasanjo's soul and grant her eternal rest."</div>
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Jonathan and Obasanjo both attended the last council of states meeting, which Obasanjo had boycotted since falling out with the outgoing president.</div>
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<b>TheCable</b></div>
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Jonathan Commiserates With Obasanjo Over Sister's Death

President Goodluck Jonathan seems to have improved on his relationship with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, after sending him a ra...

Jonathan Has Mismanaged Nigeria, Says Obasanjo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplLEVqoeY535W-8hiAJim7QQLxnoOafKfyCjnCKCMHbk5btvhv2uRL1V2H1Fqi9o13GeBZCqh0xivtg1GSu0B8YsC-NTphIwBIQzEtqDnlyKOnLAE-UDQS-VLqdmLweVfoQ4k6zPuXZ0A/s1600/OBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplLEVqoeY535W-8hiAJim7QQLxnoOafKfyCjnCKCMHbk5btvhv2uRL1V2H1Fqi9o13GeBZCqh0xivtg1GSu0B8YsC-NTphIwBIQzEtqDnlyKOnLAE-UDQS-VLqdmLweVfoQ4k6zPuXZ0A/s1600/OBJ.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Former President Olusegun Obasanjo fired a fresh salvo the way of President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, when he looked back at the last eight years and returned with a verdict: The country had been poorly managed under Jonathan.</b></div>
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Obasanjo said this when the Iyalode of Yoruba land, Chief Alaba Lawson, led a delegation of South-West women leaders on a visit to his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta.</div>
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The 78-year-old leader said owing to the mismanagement of the country in the last eight years, the incoming administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, should be prepared to face the daunting challenges that lay ahead.</div>
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He said: “The country had been poorly managed in the last eight years and it would take some time for Buhari’s government to correct the anomalies. But I want to tell him not to be frightened.”</div>
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Calling on Nigerians to exercise patience with the incoming administration, Obasanjo said the damage that had been done to the country in the last eight years could not be corrected overnight.</div>
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“What I would say is that we should all put our minds at rest. He (Buhari) is someone that will perform but we must exercise patience because what has been destroyed for eight years cannot be undone overnight.</div>
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“But like the Chinese proverb which says the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, it is not only the first step (that matters) but the first step in the right direction because if you take a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the destination,” he said.</div>
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The Owu-born leader recalled that when he assumed power as civilian president in 1999, the country was in the same situation it is today - battling fuel crisis and lack of power supply.</div>
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“When I came in 1999, there was no fuel and power. The situation was like this and I thought we have put that one behind us,” he stressed, even as he expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to surmount the hurdle.</div>
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“The man that is coming on board has a lot of experience in terms of governance. He is not a novice in governance having ruled the country as a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.</div>
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“Nigerians need to exercise patience because what has been destroyed in eight years cannot be rebuilt in a day,” Obasanjo maintained.</div>
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Recalling his years as military Head of State between 1976 and 1979, Obasanjo said he worked closely with Buhari and that their association produced results.</div>
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Urging Nigerians to pray for Buhari, Obasanjo said the president-elect needs the cooperation of Nigerians in order to put the country on the right footing.</div>
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“Let’s give him time. Let’s pray for him and let’s cooperate with him. We are all concerned about the present situation of Nigeria. The expectation is very high but at the same time, there is a lot of goodwill internally and externally for the incoming government.</div>
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“Once the incoming administration realises this and takes every step, particularly in the first three months when people will be watching and counting, I think for me, we will get there,” the former Peoples Democratic Party leader said.</div>
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The former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, however, warned Buhari not to take Nigerians for granted as he called on him to always be honest in his dealing with Nigerians.</div>
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Obasanjo added that with Buhari at the helm of affairs, Nigeria would have a new opportunity.</div>
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He said: “God has provided a new opportunity for Nigeria and Nigerians and I believe God does not make mistakes. There are two things I believe the incoming President appreciates; one is that he knows that the expectations of Nigerians are high and two, that he should not be frightened by the situation on the ground.”</div>
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Also, Obasanjo urged the incoming administration against squandering its goodwill at home and abroad.</div>
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Decrying the agony inflicted upon Nigerians by the scarcity of fuel across the country, Lawson advised Obasanjo to continue to support the Buhari government in advisory capacity.</div>
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She said: “We are aware that you also took over the reins of power of this country at a critical time and with the help of the Almighty God, you were able to bring us back from the brink. The same goes for now.</div>
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“We, therefore, appeal to you not to leave this incoming government. Though we are confident of the time-proven abilities of our incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, we also believe that two heads are better than one and where there is a gathering of wise ones, wisdom will issue forth from there.”</div>
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<b>The Punch</b></div>
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Jonathan Has Mismanaged Nigeria, Says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo fired a fresh salvo the way of President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, when he looked back at the la...

Anenih Steps Down For Jonathan As PDP BoT Chair

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy2gjyTiwPL3M_J1UTrxx5uwFClCm0vBag4tIh5HHdujAW5rWby-DUpxND6WyhqyGYAnZ7MUjR72SMuRM4U_SmLcs3A5GcLfMwAuomXO3e2sE5r-0ZdOtdf6Z6oezmU34cQ7nhHT7PT5S/s1600/Anenih.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy2gjyTiwPL3M_J1UTrxx5uwFClCm0vBag4tIh5HHdujAW5rWby-DUpxND6WyhqyGYAnZ7MUjR72SMuRM4U_SmLcs3A5GcLfMwAuomXO3e2sE5r-0ZdOtdf6Z6oezmU34cQ7nhHT7PT5S/s1600/Anenih.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih, has said his resignation Wednesday, was to allow President Goodluck Jonathan take over the position.</b></div>
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Mr. Anenih had earlier resigned his position citing the current state of affairs in the party as his reason.</div>
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In a one-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, the leader of the party, Mr. Anenih said his decision to quit would enable the President to effectively assume the chairmanship of the BoT.</div>
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The letter dated May 20, 2015 was titled: "Notice of my decision to step down as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party".</div>
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Mr. Jonathan leaves office on May 29 following his defeat by his All Progressives Congress (APC) challenger, Muhammadu Buhari, in the March 28 presidential election.</div>
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The letter reads: </div>
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Your Excellency will recall that in a conversation I had with you a few weeks ago, I had offered to step down from the office of the Chairman of our party's Board of Trustees and proposed to hand over to you as its new Chairman in a ceremony that would have taken place on the 23rd of May, 2015. I had also repeated this position in our subsequent meetings.</div>
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As a follow up to the above proposal and in view of the current state of affairs in our party, I have decided to formally put my offer in writing to enable you effectively assume the Chairmanship of Board of Trustees or approve a process that will enable any other member of the BoT who is considered competent, to assume the position.</div>
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Kindly accept therefore, this letter as notice of my decision to step down from the position of Chairman of the BoT of our party with effect from today, the 20th of May, 2015.</div>
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I am happy to inform you that, I remain a loyal foundation member of our great party and will continue to pray for the prosperity of Nigeria, our party, and for you and your family.</div>
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Your Excellency, kindly accept the expression of my highest regards.</div>
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Mr. Anenih's resignation followed a similar decision by <a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/05/just-in-pdp-chairman-adamu-muazu-throws.html">the party's chairman, Adamu Mu'azu, who also stepped down on Wednesday</a> as the ruling party faces its gravest crisis in its 16-year history.</div>
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The PDP has been in turmoil since it lost the presidential election which held March 28.</div>
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The party also lost most of its states especially in the north to the APC.</div>
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The APC has also snatched the majority number of seats in the two chambers of the National Assembly.</div>
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Top members of the party, including governors, have been calling on the NWC members to resign their positions for leading the party to its most disastrous outing since 1998.</div>
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Already, <a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/05/pdp-nwc-orders-review-of-fani-kayodes.html">the party has ordered the investigation of one of its top members, Femi Fani-Kayode</a>, for criticising its leadership.</div>
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In a sign the party's crisis may be far from over, officials on Wednesday questioned why the PDP hastened to announce that it had accepted the resignation of Mr. Anenih, when the former BoT chairman's letter was addressed to President Jonathan.</div>
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The disclosure by Mr. Anenih that President Jonathan would likely become the next BoT chairman, has a precedent in the party.</div>
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On the eve of his exit from office, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had caused the PDP Constitution to be amended to reserve the chairmanship of the party for past president.</div>
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The constitution was, however, altered during the 2012 Convention to open the position for others.</div>
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Mr. Anenih, who had been the PDP BoT chairman before Mr. Obasanjo, was reappointed into the position when the former president resigned in April 2012.</div>
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<a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/breaking-obasanjo-dumps-pdp-tears.html">The former president said he resigned to have more time</a> to develop his Presidential Library and to mobilise and encourage investments in Nigeria and Africa.</div>
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<a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/update-obasanjo-dumps-pdp-tears.html">He left the party in February this year</a>.</div>
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Anenih Steps Down For Jonathan As PDP BoT Chair

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih, has said his resignation Wednesday, was...

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