Barely six months after former President Olusegun Obasanjo renounced his political party’s membership with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the former president said on Monday that he could support the governorship candidature of Idris Wada for second term in office as the governor of Kogi state on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Chairman, Board of Trustees of People’s Democratic Party, who received Idris Wada, Kogi state governor at his Presidential Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta yesterday, stated that he could drum support for the governor in the coming Kogi state governorship election due to Wada’s leadership qualities and developmental projects.
Obasanjo said despite the fact he does not involve in active politics anymore, he would work with any Nigerians, like Idris Wada, with leadership quality, capacity and good intention for the development of the country, affirming that he would forever remain sidelined from playing active politics in the country.
He said, “We should understand first that, not the party made the person, but the person makes the party. It is who you are that you bring into the party. Though for now I remain a “party less” Nigerian, I will continue to welcome any Nigerian with good leadership qualities.
“It does not matter which party you are, either, PDP, APC, Labour, APGA any party at all, as long as you are committed, sincere and a purposeful leader. I am ready for you (Wada). And that is what our brother is doing. I pray that this country will never be short of this type of people”.
Speaking earlier, Idris Wada, Kogi state governor, described Obasanjo as a father of the nation, just as he stressed that those who believed in him, would continue to learn from his commitment and dedication for the growth of the country.
He said, “”Everywhere we meet Baba, we learn a lot and we shall continue to learn from him. He is a father of the nation. He is a figure we admire. We pray that we all be like him, because he is a committed Nigerian, who has devoted himself to the growth of the country.
“So, why not, if some of us decide to emulate him, be with him and appreciate him.”
The governor, who further explained that the visit to Obasanjo was coming on the heels of the award received in Lagos state earlier as the best governor in the country, said, “since we were honoured as the best governor yesterday (Sunday) in Lagos, we deem it appropriate to come down to Abeokuta to report to our father, the little recognition we are getting.
“As you know, Baba Obasanjo is our father, our role model and shining example for the nation and the world at large”, the governor added.
Among those who spoke at visit, was a women leader of the PDP in Kogi state, Margaret Orebiyi, who described Obasanjo as the landlord of the Nigerian nation.
She declared, “Apart from God, Obasanjo is the landlord of this country. Some of us who were opportune to have worked with you closely understand your humility, your dedication and your commitment for Nigeria to remain one. We pray that God will continue to preserve you for us till you see the Nigeria of your dream.”
RAZAQ AYINLA
