Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday played host to President Goodluck Jonathan, and later four governors of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), at his hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, in what is considered part of efforts to resolve the sharp divisions within the party ahead of the 2015 general elections.
The meetings with Obasanjo came barely a day after Akwa Ibom State governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio paid the former President a visit in Abeokuta, and sought his intervention in the internal crisis within the PDP.
The governors who met with Obasanjo on Saturday were Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto).
President Jonathan, in company with security aides, arrived at the former president’s residence at 11:52am and headed straight into a meeting with his host.
Security had been tightened in Abeokuta and around Obasanjo’s residence before the president’s arrival.
Jonathan’s meeting with Obasanjo lasted till 1:25pm, when the President left the hilltop mansion for the private residence of his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who buried his late mother, Madam Taiwo Abati, in Abeokuta on Friday. Details of Jonathan’s meeting with Obasanjo could not be immediately ascertained, but speculation was rife in Abeokuta that it was not unconnected with the president’s 2015 re-election bid.
The President’s re-election bid, which governors from the North, including those of the PDP, are believed to be against, is largely responsible for the crisis within the ruling party.
Answering questions from reporters after signing the condolence register at Abati’s residence in Asero, Abeokuta, the President he did not attend Friday’s funeral because he was away to Lome,
the Togolese capital, to attend an international event.
Jonathan also confirmed his meeting with Obasanjo, describing himself as the ex-president’s son.
He argued that if people heard that he came to Abeokuta and failed to visit Obasanjo, they would think that both of them have differences.
“Of course, you know that Reuben’s house and Obasanjo’s house are just about 10 minutes drive to each other. It would not be proper if I’m coming to Ogun State to see Reuben who is just at Obasanjo’s backyard that I would not stop over to greet him (Obasanjo).
“Even if he (Obasanjo) hears that, they would think that the president – I’m Obasanjo’s son – and Obasanjo probably have some differences.
“So, I said that before coming to greet the family, let us stop over and greet Obasanjo and we did that. We stopped over there. Even our helicopters are there in the Government House, we drove down here.”
Jonathan described Dr Abati as a worthy aide, adding that he paid the condolence to encourage his family.
“The death of Madam Maria Taiwo Abati touches all of us and we must collectively play our role. Since we were unable to be here for the church programme, we said that this morning we have to be here. We must come and greet our brothers and sisters to express our condolence and to encourage the family,” he added.
However, almost immediately after Jonathan’s departure from Obasonjo’s residence, the four Northern governors arrived the former president’s residence and held another round of closed-door meeting for about one hour.
Nyako, who later addressed reporters after the meeting, said the governors had come to consult with Obasanjo on important matters.
“Obasanjo is the most accomplished Nigerian ever and will remain so for a very long time, and we have come to consult him on very important matters,” he stated.
