An Aide to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Kehinde Akinyemi, has disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday, July 14, apologised to him (Obasanjo) for ‘‘bad conduct and mistreatment.’’
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akinyemi who made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abeokuta said said Obasanjo granted forgiveness to the party in line with biblical injunction.
The party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus, who led a 21-member delegation of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on a courtesy call on Obasanjo, gave the apology.
According to him, the Former President urged them to pay attention to issues that were needed to restore PDP as a party of good image, discipline, commitment, leadership and moral principles.
Akinyemi quoted Obasanjo as saying: ‘‘The MoU for grand alliance is what it says, a grand alliance. It is neither a merger nor absorption of any political party by any political party. ‘‘It is clear for the parties which agreed to be members of the alliance to work together to achieve one important common objective at the national level for the election of 2019.
‘‘Where it is appropriate and necessary, members may also form alliance and co-operation at the state level.
‘‘The individuality and independence of each political party must be observed and respected by all parties concerned. ‘‘It is also desirable that in the process of implementing the MoU to achieve the set objective, solidarity and focus on the objective must be maintained.
‘‘Each member political party must be cautious of fake news, rumours, blackmail, and seeds of discord that may be sown among them from external quarters.’’ He said the former president at the meeting reiterated that he had quit partisan politics, but would continue to make himself available to guide any party that so desired.
Akinyemi, however, maintained that he would prioritise his service to the African Democratic Congress. Secondus, who spoke with newsmen shortly after the meeting, said the chieftains of the party were in Abeokuta to consult with Obasanjo ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The PDP leaders at the meeting include the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus and Chief Olabode George.
The PDP was believed to have met former president Obasanjo to seek advice on how to achieve victory in the 2019 polls and beat incumbent Muhammadu Buhari.
