Mediaboss Marketing

Chukwuemeka Ezeife

Third Republic Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, tells TOBI AWORINDE that former President Olusegun Obasanjos endorsement of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), may not be worth its salt

What do you think of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who helped found the Peoples Democratic Party, endorsing the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)?

Unusual and unconventional things keep happening in Nigeria. I dont know whether the solidarity of the military is so strong that it compels people to do such things. Is there a military caucus made up of a different breed of Nigerians such that an officer must support another officer? I hear that Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.) is also supporting Buhari, to my greatest surprise. The military caucus, perhaps, is the strongest one in the (political) system. An endorsement by Gen. Obasanjo can be a kiss of death for any political figure. I dont know how much is left of Obasanjos credibility to endorse somebody and if it can have a positive effect.

But Obasanjo also endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. Are you saying the President didnt profit from that vote of confidence?

You are right, Obasanjo brought out Jonathan and endorsed him in 2011, even when he (Jonathan) was contesting against Buhari. So, what has changed? Or is there another caucus of the North and northern supporters? What happened to (Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru) Jega is also happening to other northerners. But some Hausa/Fulani Muslims have taken a decision to return power to themselvesthe born-to-rule peopleand everyone seems to be endorsing Buhari for that reason. The ways of Obasanjo are sometimes inscrutable, but I pray that, for him and for all of us, the will of God will happen. Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God, chosen to do Gods purpose for Nigeria. If he has finished that purpose, he will leave. But if he has not finished Gods purpose, he will be there and no man born by a woman can remove him.

Is it normal for an elder statesman of such prominence to go against his partys mandate and endorse a member of the opposition?

A former head of state is a human being and has human rights. I dont think anything is wrong with that. But if you are in a party and you endorse another partys candidate, it means you are indulging in anti-party activities. In honour, he should therefore resign from the PDP.

Are you, therefore, in support of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayoses proposition that the party suspend the ex-President over inter-party activities?

Let me tell you something: we dont have parties. After the presidential elections, we will work to build two parties in Nigeria. The two-party system has been demonstrated to be what Nigeria needs; what works for and integrates Nigeria, crushing religiosity and tribalism. We have one of the parties already surfacingthe Social Democratic Party. We will define the ideology of the SDP properly and the people who want to be on the other side will define their ideology. That way, we would give Nigeria a two-party system. After the presidential elections, even with Jonathan as president, the PDP may have to go. Look at how they cause all kinds of problems for themselves. One is not sure where a member of the PDP is heading. You can see that the President is a member of the PDP. But some people say even the PDP chairman is not with the party. The PDP may eventually leave the scene, even with the President in office.

See the original post:
Obasanjos support for Buhari, kiss of death Ezeife