Obasanjo Quits PDP after 16Years !
yesterday that he left the People's Democratic Party
(PDP) so as to remain an elder statesman.
Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State
capital, he further maintained that he was not
prepared to join another political party, as he wished
to remain an elder statesman.
But Ogun State chapter of PDP said he was expelled
for anti-party activities.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, (BoT) of the
PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday played down the
effect of the development on the party's fortunes
ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
On its part, the military has reacted to statements by
Obasanjo last weekend, alleging that President
Goodluck Jonathan plotted the postponement of the
elections because he planned to use the military to
subvert the peoples' will during the rescheduled
March 28 and April 11, 2015 polls.
Obasanjo who made the announcement when a
delegation from his ward 11, Ita-Iyalode, Abeokuta
called on him at his Hilltop residence, also said he
would no more belong to any party.
"Henceforth, I will only be a Nigerian, I am ready to
work with anybody regardless of his or her political
affliation. I am no more a politician but a stateman,
both internally and externally," he affirmed.
Obasanjo claimed that he quit the PDP because by its
behaviour and actions the party was bent on
destroying the country.
Although Obasanjo was first elected President on the
PDP's platform, he has openly been backed Maj.-Gen.
Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), Jonathan's opponent in
the Saturday, March 28 election.
In fact, last Saturday, Obasanjo, in a chat with
newsmen in Abeokuta among other things accused
Jonathan of being behind the postponement of the
election.
His allegation attracted a lot of criticisms from PDP
stalwarts, some of them calling for his expulsion.
But reacting to such calls, he said: "Perhaps,
people do not understand that it is because there's
Nigeria that is why PDP exists. Without Nigeria, there
will be no PDP any more.
"What some of us should be concern about is how to
make Nigeria stronger and make our economy to
witness significant growth.
"They said they want to expel me from PDP, although
I have not been told about it, I have my ears on
ground.
We've been trying to run away from a man but he
pleads we wait for him at the other side of the river.
"I have told people before that I became President on
the platform of PDP and once I leave PDP I will not
join any party. I will only be a Nigerian who will be
ready to work with anybody regardless of his or her
political affiliation.
"Why would some people say they want to send me
away. They don't need to bother themselves, here is
your membership card. Take it (giving it to a member
of the delegation).
"From today, in the presence of all you (delegation)
and with your support I am not going to be a
member of any political party in Nigeria. I am no
more a politician but a statesman, both internally and
externally.
"The issue that they want to expel me from the party,
once you people (delegation) are with me what other
people am I looking for.
"This Nigeria belongs to all of us and it must not be
destroyed. We must not allow anybody to destroy it
wherever they come from, whatever they have
because if they destroy it it becomes a burden to our
children and incoming generation."
According to him, Nigeria is gradually being
destroyed economically, saying that the exchange
rate of the dollar to the naira, for example had risen.
He also said the unemployment situation is
skyrocketing.
"Is it the type of country we dreamt of?" he queried.
"Those of you that are marketers, you might have
observed that there is inflation in the market. The
bureau de change operators used to exchange dollar
for N150 but it is now going to be N250 to a dollar.
"What it means is that, what you have been buying
for N150 will now be bought for N250. There is
no employment. Some people have stated destroying
Nigeria and I will never be in a party that will destroy
Nigeria.
"And on the day of election, whatever it takes the
Permenent Voters Card (PVC) must be obtained. You
do not need to be a politician before you get your
PVC. On the day of election, you can vote for your
choice, but I will vote for those who repair Nigeria
and not those who will destroy it.
"What is important is that we should hold ward 11
community together."
Obasanjo told a member the delegation: "What we
are going to do now is that since I do not have
burden of PDP again help me tear into pieces my
membership card." He then handed the card to that
person.
He went on: "How can anybody in his right senses
talk of ING in a democratic setting. Some of them are
working for it. God will not allow it. In my ward, we
will be meeting from time to time to discuss and
interact on whatever you want and what I want."
A statement by the party's state chairman, Chief Dayo
Bayo, in Abeokuta said Obasanjo was ejected
because he had engaged in "anti-party activities."
According to the seven-paragraph statement, by his
expulsion, the former President "stands expelled and
ex-communicated from the party, thereby loosing all
rights, privileges and respect of our teeming
members."
The PDP statement added: "The general public,
especially the media, are to take note that whatever
Obasanjo does or say must no longer be seen from
the prism of a PDP leader.
"Indeed he seem to have lost all sense of proper
behavior expected of a man who previously used and
abused the opportunity provided him by the PDP".
"His Ward 11 Abeokuta North Local Government had
earlier sent in a letter dated 12th Febuary, 2015
expressing serious concern at his numerous anti-
party activities and uncomplimentary utterances
targeted at the leader of the party, President Ebele
Jonathan.
"It is ironic that this is the same Obasanjo who when
he was President neither tolerated nor accepted any
opinion, suggestion or criticism of his tenure."
Emerging from a meeting with Jonathan at the State
House in Abuja along with other top national leaders
of the party, Anenih, in a brief interaction with
correspondents, noted that the party leadership
would not miss Obasanjo.
Among those at the meeting were Vice President
Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Senate President David
Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; National
Chairman of PDP, Ahmadu Bello Mu'azu, his deputy,
Uche Secondus; Deputy Directors-General of the
Presidential Campaign Organisation, Prof. Tunde
Adeniran and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
Anenih believed that Obasanjo had the right to quit
or join any party of his choice.
Asked if the PDP will miss him, he said, "Why should
we miss him? To us leaders of the party, his
departure is not a loss."
In a statement released by Defence Headquarters,
the military stated that it cannot be used to subvert
the people's will as it remains and will continue on
the path of professionalism in the discharge of its
duties at all times.
Obasanjo was a former military Head of State
(1976-1979) and later President from 1999 to 2007.
Full text of the posting read: "The Defence
Headquarters has noted the remarks of a former
President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as reported in
the media stating his views on perceived state of the
armed forces and the roles being allegedly played by
the military in the nation's political process in recent
times. The leadership and cross section of the
military believes that the former President and
retired General has every right to be interested in the
actions and fate of the military. Hence, his views like
many others will continue to be accorded the well-
deserved attention. It is however noteworthy that
most of his utterances lately indicate an attitude of
playing to the gallery or indulging in politicization of
serious national security or military affairs.
"For instance, the comments credited to Chief
Obasanjo alleging that the postponement of the
General Elections was to enable President Jonathan
to use the Service Chiefs to plot a tenure extension is
to say the least, very surprising. It is surprising
indeed, considering the fact that the retired General
chose to ignore the clarification and emphatic
assurances of non-partisanship of the military as
declared in a DHQ statement on the position of the
Armed Forces in the ongoing political activities. His
motive as usual remains unknown but it is certainly
less than noble or well intentioned. We dare say
again that Chief Obasanjo's assertions are false.
"Much as the military desires to respect the old
General and his views, it has become necessary to
point out that his conduct and unguarded utterances
of late has fallen short of the standard of discipline
expected of an individual who has had the privilege
of service in the military and risen to the status of a
General. The behaviour of retired General (Chief)
Obasanjo has been so unbecoming and continues to
constitute a serious embarrassment to the military
before all who have reasonably and rightly adjudged
the essence of military background in terms of the
high value and standard it tends to contribute to
statesmanship.
"We feel constrained to remind the old General that
the world has moved beyond that parochial and self-
adulating reasoning and mindset which he seems
stuck to. Indeed, he needs to be told that by virtue of
their better training, exposure, education,
assessment and environment, the military personnel
of today are already far beyond his level in their
appreciation of democracy and it's indispensability
for the stable and prosperous society which
Nigerians cherish.
"In this instance, the military wishes to inform the
retired General, that the institution which he
bequeathed to the nation has certainly developed
beyond how he left it. The Nigerian military is now
better placed to strive for the maintenance of the
legacies and ethos of service, valour, subordination
to constituted authorities, and nonpartisan
commitment to duty and fatherland. It has to be
restated that the military as an institution, is neither
as inept in the discharge of its duties, nor is it being
misused for political ends in the manner the retired
General Obasanjo who was also a former President
has possibly been made to believe.
"Indeed, the system now strongly believes in
Democracy as well as its structures and institutions
to the extent that it will do nothing whatsoever to
undermine or truncate the steady growth and
development of the nation's democracy. The military
will remain professional as it keeps doing its best
along with others to ensure adequate security and
defence of the nation's territorial integrity in this
auspicious period in the country.
"The Defence Headquarters will like to encourage
Chief Obasanjo to be genuinely interested in the
growth and sustenance of Nigeria's democratic
credentials. He is also enjoined to endeavor to
improve in his understanding of intricate issues and
try to encourage the military rather than continue
with this tendency to indulge in imputation of ulterior
motives to every effort, all for the purpose of
discrediting well thought out policies or decisions
related to the military's roles in the polity. The
support of all well-meaning elderly Nigerians
remains vital in the onerous duty of working for the
stability, defence, and peace of our country under
duly constituted authorities in a democratic
environment."
The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation
(PDPPCO), in a statement issued by Director of Media
and Publicity, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode said: "Watching
our party membership card being torn up whilst
President Obasanjo was standing there and smiling
was painful and tragic.
"This is a party which he helped to build and on
whose platform he was elected President for eight
good years. The truth is that President Obasanjo is
far better and far bigger than that.
"This knee-jerk reaction is most unlike President
Obasanjo. It is clear that he has burnt all the bridges
and that he has left us forever.
"On a personal note I feel saddened by this but the
truth is that many in our party have heaved a huge
sigh of relief. Many of us love President Obasanjo
and we shall continue to do so regardless of whether
he is in our party or not but tearing up that party
card was too much to bear.
"It spoke volumes and it was indicative of the deep
hatred and contempt that he has for us and our
cause. It reminded me of the biblical passage in
which King Saul rejected David and then planned to
stop him from ascending to the throne by attempting
to kill and destroy him. Thankfully the Lord was with
David and not only did he deliver him from Saul but
he also crowned him King.
0 Comments: