I’m Still In PDP, But I Won’t Be Active Because There Is A Criminal Among You- Obasanjo Tells PDP Chieftains

    Former president of Nigeria and
    one time PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Olusegun Obasanjo has said he is still
    in PDP, but will not be active as expected. Some PDP chieftains have been
    begging the former head of state to become active once again in the party,
    because his influence cannot be swept under the carpet. Obasanjo who is
    believed not to be happy that President Jonathan will be contesting in 2015
    according to a report says, Jonathan has not kept to their earlier agreement.
    He was also fast to say he holds Nigeria in high esteem than any party. And
    most importantly, if PDP wants him to be active,  Buruji Kashamu, a PDP South West leader and
    ally of President Goodluck Jonathan will have nothing to do with the party.
    Obasanjo made these statements on
    Sunday in a press release made available to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State
    capital. Read part of the statement after the cut.

     “My interest and commitment to Nigeria go
    beyond partisan politics. Under no condition will my commitment to Nigeria be
    diminished.”
    “For me, it is commitment to
    Nigeria first and any other commitment can only follow in second or third
    place. Where any other commitment is in tandem with what I see and understand
    as commitment to Nigeria, such other commitment will share a pride of place
    with Nigeria.”
    “Today, Nigeria needs all hands on
    deck to deal with our pressing problems of security including the issue of
    Chibok girls, widening inequality, infrastructure, impunity, corruption,
    poverty and youth education, skill-acquisition, empowerment and employment.
    “These are issues of concern to
    most Nigerians. We all need to join hands to move Nigeria forward. I don’t need
    to be begged for that.”
     “Talking of inviting me back to PDP is wrong
    and it is a great misrepresentation as I have never left PDP and I will never
    leave PDP.”
    “I have said it before and I will
    say it again, I rose to become the President of Nigeria on the platform of PDP
    and for that reason alone, I will remain a card-carrying and ward-active member
    of PDP for as long as I have to be a political party member.”
    “Nobody has personally offended me
    as a result of my membership of PDP. If, however, anybody or group feels
    offended by my continued membership, I will offer an unreserved apology but
    continue to remain in the party.
    “I have had occasions to say to
    the President, the Senate President and the Party Chairman separately that I
    have no quarrel with any individual or group in the Party.”
    My refusal to play an active role
    in the PDP, is an issue of principle and morality.
    “For instance, as a former
    President of Nigeria, the Chairman of West Africa Commission on Drug and a
    member of Global Commission on Drug, I cannot accept that the Zonal leader of
    my political Party and, worse still in my zone, will be an indicted drug baron
    wanted in America. How do I explain that to friends outside Nigeria?” he said
    in reference to Buruji Kashamu, a PDP South West leader and ally of President
    Goodluck Jonathan.
    “This is only one of the many
    issues that I have pointed and still pointing out,” he said.
    Mr. Obasanjo said he would,
    however, remain active at the PDP ward level.
    However in a letter published
    earlier by Premium Times, the former leader had said by deciding to seek
    re-election, Mr. Jonathan was going against all the agreements they had in 2011
    when Mr. Obasanjo was the president’s chief campaigner across the country.
    The former president believes that
    by their agreements in 2011, the PDP presidential ticket for 2015 should go to
    a northerner.

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