Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday reaffirmed his decision to stay out of party politics, saying nothing can bring him back into party politics.
Mr. Obasanjo made his position known while addressing reporters shortly after a closed-door meeting with members of the National Labor Committee (NWC) of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Abeokuta.
The former president said he was happy to remain an elder statesman, adding that nothing would bring him back into partisan politics.
“I want to emphasize that I am no longer in partisan politics and there is nothing to take me back to partisan politics.
“I will always be interested in what is good for Nigeria and anyone who wants to have my advice, I will give it clearly in the best interest of Nigeria and in the best interest of Africa.
“That’s why I have the kind of responsibility that I have now in the Horn of Africa, which is not an easy thing,” said the former president.
However, he said that the PPD will continue to be part of his life story because he reached the position of president of the country on the party’s platform.
Mr. Obasanjo explained that despite his retirement from party politics, he could not withdraw from his commitment to the welfare of the people.
He said: “I have been with the party from the beginning.
“Whatever I do in my life, because I became president on the platform of the PPD, the party will continue to be part of the story of my life.
“However, I must add that the day my ward decided to rip up my PDP card was the day I stopped being a PDP member. And that day I swore that I will no longer be a member of any political party.
“I will continue to be a statesman in Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and indeed the world at large.
“However, I have withdrawn from partisan politics, but I cannot withdraw from the well-being of people, whether in my own community, in my own state, in my own country, anywhere in Africa, or indeed in Any part of the world”.
Mr. Obasanjo said that PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu bears a great responsibility in restoring the party’s lost glory, praying that God grant him the wisdom to succeed.
In his remarks, Mr. Ayu said that he thought it appropriate to visit Mr. Obasanjo with party leaders so that they could learn from his wealth of experience.
The PDP chairman said that Mr. Obasanjo’s tenure as president of Nigeria on the PDP platform remained the golden age of the party.
“During that period, they not only grew Nigeria’s economy to be the largest in Africa, but they were able to lift the country out of slavery by negotiating and canceling much of its foreign debt.
“Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country was increasing daily with the consequent respect for Nigeria by the international community.
“Most of the institutions and agencies established during his tenure, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC), continue to serve the country well.
“You are very passionate about this country and you did a lot. So we thought that we should come and thank them for what they have done, not only for Nigerians, but also for our party and the African continent.
“I believe that today, in all modesty, after the departure of the late President Nelson Mandela from South Africa, there is only one person of such stature left on the African continent.
“We are proud that the person is Nigerian in the person of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.”
Ayu, who described Obasanjo as a “detribalized” leader, recalled the elder statesman once telling him that he (Obasanjo) would feel diminished if someone limited him to a particular tribe, rather than Nigeria as a country.
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He explained that “the idea had gotten into his head that he, and all Nigerians, have a responsibility to keep Nigeria together and take it to an enviable height.”
“Although you have retired from partisan politics, partisan politics will never be removed from your blood.
“You always want the right thing to be done and since you want the right thing to be done, for life, you will remain the emeritus member of the PDP.
“You cannot build a house and let it collapse.
“We will continue to contribute our own dues to the growth of the party and the nation and we will continue to come to you.
“So I want to plead with you, please don’t tire of us as we call, asking for your advice and wisdom because the words of the elders are the words of wisdom,” he said. (YAYA)