Former President Olusegun
Obasanjo said on Thursday
he was not ready to sacrifice
his life for any political party,
but would prefer doing that
for Nigeria.
Mr. Obasanjo stated this
when the Presidential
Candidate of the National
Conscience Party, NCP,
Martins Onovo, paid him a
visit at his Hilltop private
residence in Abeokuta.
“My first pre-occupation is
what is best for Nigeria;
Nigeria first, party second
and any other thing third.
Nigeria first means I will not
sacrifice anything for the
interest of Nigeria but I can
sacrifice my own life for the
interest of Nigeria, I can’t
sacrifice my life for the
interest of a party, I will
sacrifice my life for the
interest of Nigeria,” he
declared.
Mr. Obasanjo commended
the role Gani Fawehinmi,
founder of NCP, saying the
late lawyer did not only fight
injustice but also checked the
excesses of governments in
power.
“In the interest of a better
society there is always the
need for some people to
serve as watchdogs.
Fawehinmi throughout his life
devoted his intellect and
energy to fight injustice, bad
governance, corruption and
other social vices,” he said.
“Let me pay tribute as I have
done in my recent book to
the founder of your party,
Gani Fawehinmi, I believe he
was a genuine social critic
though you may not agree
with all that he said or how
he went about them. But he
was definitely a genuine
social critic, so you (Martins)
as the flag bearer of the party
he founded, if you should
follow his footsteps of
integrity and genuine critical
analysis and committed
analysis and criticism of the
situation in the country, I
think nobody will fault you,”
Mr. Obasanjo said to his
guest.
Mr. Obasanjo said “Let me
make my own position clear, I
am a card carrying member
of PDP (Peoples Democratic
Party) because that is the
party on which platform I
became the president of this
country”.
His further advised his guest
that “If what you’re trying to
do is in the best interest of
Nigeria and Nigerians accept
and vote for you, who I am I
not to accept you as
President of Nigeria, I will.
But whatever may be the
outcome of the election after
you have done all that you
can, once the election is free
and fear and undisturbed,
uninterrupted, then you have
to accept the verdict of the
people”.
The former President
reiterated his call on the
Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC,
to ensure free, fair and
transparent elections that
would be acceptable to
Nigerians.
“It is only free, fair and
transparent elections without
mago, mago that would be
acceptable to Nigerians,”
Obasanjo affirmed.
Earlier in his remark, Martins
said he called on Mr.
Obasanjo to receive his
blessing for his ambition and
to tap from his fountain of
knowledge.
“We think that Nigeria needs
a fundamental change and
not superficial change, that’s
our view and we’ve decided
to come and tell you our
mission in politics. What we
are here to do and how we
intend doing it and to seek
your blessings for the efforts
we are making,” he said.
“Our programme is designed
to lead to the abolition of
poverty, through full
employment, improve health
care and electricity supply
which is very critical to
industrial development
anywhere in the world,” Mr.
Martins asserted.
“We are very aware that you
(Obasanjo) did very few
critical things in government
when you were there and
some of those we wish to
continue when we get to
office particularly the anti-
corruption efforts of EFCC
(Economic and Financial
Crime Commission), ICPC,
(Independent Corrupt
Practices Commission) we
intend to continue.”
“We intend, when we get
elected with your guidance to
check the loss in the National
revenue so that we can have
funds to carry out the
developmental programmes
we have promised our
people.”
“We are also aware that you
left about 67 billion dollars in
the excess crude account and
the foreign reserves and
unfortunately, what we know
now from the Debt
Management Office is that we
are indebted to 70 billion
dollars, it’s unfortunate and
we also think that many
Nigerians are looking for
fundamental change and we
are hoping to build on some
of your developmental
initiatives you left behind if
with your blessing we are
able to get into office.
source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/174510-cant-sacrifice-life-political-party-obasanjo.html

Yes, the truth. But some can....shame!