Iyabo Told Me I Was Going To Die In Office, Obasanjo Reveals

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his
eldest daughter, Iyabo, told him he was going to die in office. The former President also said his daughter said if that
should happen, she would not weep for him.

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.

Obasanjo, who said this in his controversial book, My Watch,
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.

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.

He said it was ironic that Iyabo became a senator during his
tenure.

Meanwhile, before being elected a senator, Iyabo was
appointed a commissioner by Otunba Gbenga Daniel, while he was serving as
governor of Ogun State.

Obasanjo said, “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.

“I told them I was going to decide whether to go into
politics or not. Iyabo was the most antagonistic.

“She burst out loudly, ‘I know you will join and you will
die there and if you die, I will not weep.’

“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.’

“It is ironic that within 10 years, Iyabo became a Senator
and I completed two terms of eight years without a scratch.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

Five of the children are holders of PhD in different fields.

The children are Iyabo (PhD), who is the eldest; Busola,
Segun(PhD), Gbenga(PhD), Deboye, Muyiwa, Funke, Bola (PhD) and Seun (PhD).

Also listed were Dare, Kofo, Dayo, Biyi, Bisoye, Damilola,
Jonwo, Bunmi, Funso, Dayo, Toyosi and Bukola.

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.

Punch