2023: I cannot be threatened over my choice of presidential candidate, says Obasanjo
Olusegun Obasanjo, erstwhile Nigerian president, says no amount of threat can dissuade him from his choice of candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
“I have shed my blood for this country. I have gone to prison for this country. So, what are you going to frighten or threaten me with? if I put my hand on someone, it means that comparing with the other, I see that there is merit that will be of benefit to Nigeria,” Mr Obasanjo said.
Speaking in Enugu on Monday after signing the condolence register for First Republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, Mr Obasanjo said that Nigerians were in need a president with character.
He observed that the problem bedevilling the country was more national than ethnic, stressing that Nigeria needed a character-redefined leader who could be trusted with leadership roles.
“The problem we have in our hands in Nigeria is not ethnic. It is national. And for me, the most important thing in a leader with character.
“The problem we have had is that we have not had a leader with the right type of character that they should be trusted with the leadership role,” the former Nigerian president added.
Speculations have been rife that the former president, who served between 1999-2007, might be supporting Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the 2023 election.
In October, Mr Obasanjo deliberately gave his seat to Mr Obi at a gathering in Abuja, deepening the rumour of his support for the LP presidential candidate.
Also, Akin Osuntokun, a former political adviser to Mr Obasanjo had recently disclosed that his ex-principal may be supporting the former Anambra governor for the presidential seat.
Mr Obasanjo is also believed to be rallying other former heads of state, influential retired generals and powerful northerners including traditional rulers for Mr Obi.
Mr Obi has continued to gain wide support from Nigerians, particularly from the youths who have been making financial donations to support his politicial campaigns ahead of the election.
Mr Obasanjo had while signing the condolence register described the late Amaechi, who died on November 1, at the age of 93, as a Nigerian patriot and the last of the Titans.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Police kill suspected kidnapper, rescue two victims in Delta
He said the police, Abraka (Delta), vigilantes and a hunters group raided the hideout of the kidnap gang following credible information received by the police.
Politics
Nigerians love PDP; moles, betrayers destroying party, says Benue ex-governor
Mr Suswam, aspiring to be the party’s national chairman, said the PDP has a clear chance of reclaiming power.
Sport
EPL: Arsenal overcome Tottenham’s late scare to secure crucial points in title race
Arsenal took the lead 15 minutes into the match, courtesy of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s own goal.
Politics
LG Polls: PDP wins all 33 chairmanship positions in Oyo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the chairmanship seats in all 33 local governments in Oyo State following Saturday’s council elections.
Africa
ECA urges youths to raise their voices in shaping Africa’s development
The ECA boss said about 70 per cent of the population in Africa are young people and that by 2030, 42 per cent of the global youth will be from the continent.
Agriculture
Cross River inaugurates 50,000-hectare rice farm
Mr Otu said that with the initiative, the state government was poised to revolutionise the agricultural sector in direct collaboration with farmers.
