From: Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ogun State, on Friday, paid a visit to the Abeokuta residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The party chieftains, led by the caretaker committee chairman of PDP in the state, Tunde Odanye, arrived Obasanjo’s Hilltop Residence, Abeokuta, around 1000a.m. and later headed into a closed-door meeting with the former president.
Also in the team were immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun State Chairman of PDP, Elder Joju Fadairo, Hon. Kayode Amusan, former minister of Steel Development, Sarafa Ishola, Daniel’s deputy, Alhaja Salmot Badru, former Chairman, Board of Directors, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa among others.
Saturday Sun recalls that the former president, who was in the saddle between 1999 and 2007 under the platform of PDP, had in 2014, tore his PDP membership card and denounced his membership of the party. He also announced his retirement from active politics.
But briefing journalists after the meeting, the Ogun State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Tunde Odanye, disclosed that they came to visit Obasanjo to solicit for his blessing and support as the party was set to re-invent itself.
Odanye, who noted the party had transgressed against the former president, further informed journalists that forgiveness was sought and OBJ forgave the party.
He added that though, Obasanjo insisted that he was through with partisan politics, the former president, who declared he had become “father of all”, however, wished the party the best, just as he commended it for finding its bearing back.
On his part, former governor Gbenga Daniel, said he was part of the delegation to consult and solicit Obasanjo’s support ahead of his formal declaration of intention to run for the position of the National Chairman of the PDP.
According to him, “I can’t make any move in that direction without the ex – president’s input”.
“I’m contesting for the PDP chairmanship position. I’m consulting and Baba is one of the foundation members of the party and we can’t move without him,” Daniel added.
He, however, submitted that PDP had become better, more united and being rejuvenated to make it a party to beat both in Ogun State and in Nigeria come 2019.
“We have been united. You can see all of us are here. We have realised that united we stand, divided we fall,” he added.