How Obasanjo, Jonathan betrayed Northern presidency – former south-south governor reveals details
- Former Governor Victor Attah says the North should have been allowed to complete their tenure after the death of Yar’dua
- He also accused former President Obasanjo of being the architect of divisive politics in the country
- He urged Nigerians to ask him ‘why he wants to be divisive’ by canvassing for an Igbo presidency
The former governor of Akwa Ibom state insisted that Olusegun Obasanjo brought divisive politics to Nigeria
Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom state and one of the leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) argued that he does not understand why Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo is canvassing for Igbo presidency in 2019 when it was obviously not the turn of the region to produce the presidency.
According to the former governor who fielded questions from Vanguard, the political division in the country today was caused by the former president.
He noted that after the death of late President Yar’Adua whom Obasanjo foisted on the country, a Northerner should have been allowed to rule the country.
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He said: "I have had occasions to really disagree with former President Obasanjo and I made strenuous effort to make sure that I did not insult him but there are times you really have to wonder what his intentions are when he does certain things.
"Now let me go back to the story of 2002. It was an expanded caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. I asked the question and they said the decision for a second term for Obasanjo was not going to be taken through voice vote that we were going to speak one by one and I am going to name names because one person stood up and said yes, he should have a second term and many others followed suit.
"I stood up and I asked, what was the hurry all about? We are a family, we are a party, why don’t we wait till then and when we get there (primaries) we would decide who was best to pick our ticket and I said that was what we should do. Why the rush to now predetermine who would be our flag-bearer? Why must we agree on this second term now?
"Then, former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, stood up and said, ‘if we agree that Obasanjo should have second term, when it is the time of the North, would you allow the North to have two terms?’ The whole house echoed, yes! Did it happen? No," he said
Going on with his narration, Attah said that Obasanjo was the architect of divisive politics in Nigeria.
"That was where the division in Nigerian politics came in. Why was it that when Yar’Adua died, since he was Obasanjo’s choice for the North and the North accepted him, sick as he was, why was it that when he could not even complete one term, the North was not allowed to complete that term or even go ahead to have a second term?
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"We took it from the North. Would you be happy if it was you? Today, the North has got the presidency since we have now decided, yes to second term before the north can even have a second term, you are suggesting Igbo. Is that not divisive? So, I do not see that thing (Obasanjo’s advocacy) as being sincere.
"I think it is a means of just creating further confusion in this country. People should ask him why he wants to be divisive, but if he says he is not divisive, let him bring out the logic," Attah added.
Meanwhile, former governor of Anambra state, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not an ordinary person.
In the video below, former President Obasanjo could be seen singing with other Nigerian leaders for the peace of the nation.