Why I tore my PDP membership card – Obasanjo

By Soni Daniel, Henry Umoru, Ben Agande, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu,
Simon Ebegbulem & Daud Olatunji,
LAGOS—A mixture of relief and raging indignation swept through the leadership
of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, after former President
Olusegun Obasanjo publicly tore his membership card of the ruling party.
Obasanjo’s theatrical renunciation of the party on whose platform he was
twice elected president, was laced with another drama hours later when the
state chapter of the party announced his expulsion from the party.
In three tweets, last night, Obasanjo gave as his reasons, his uneasiness in
abiding in the same party with a president who he said was determined to use
corruption to destroy the country. He also said he would not abide in a party
that is led by a ‘drug baron’, saying his action had freed him to comment on
national issues as he felt.
The subdued relief in the Presidency which has been the butt of Obasanjo’s
stinging criticism in recent times was manifest, yesterday, when senior
Presidency officials calmly referred responses to the development to party
officials. Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and once
Obasanjo’s trusted aide, led the reactions with his dismissal of the action,
saying the party would not miss him.
A number of other party officials including members of the board of trustees,
state officials in Ogun State, Governor Ayo Fayose, Chief Buruji Kashamu
among others reacted to the development yesterday.
Why I tore myPDP membership card— Obasanjo
In three tweets, yesterday night, explaining his decision, Obasanjo said: “I’d
rather sacrifice my political party for the interest of Nigeria than sacrifice my
country for a political party led by a drug baron.
“I’d rather tear the PDP membership card than sit down and let Jonathan use
PDP and corruption to tear my beloved country apart.
“I have national and international standard to maintain. For this reason I’d
rather stand alone than be in the same political party with Kashamu.”
Obasanjo said that the party card he tore was one of the considerations to
him in the bid to project Nigeria, pointing out that there was nothing he could
not sacrifice for the interest of the nation.
He boasted that despite the destruction of his party card, he would not be
cowed by anyone, as he was still ready to comment on any matter that
required his comment or view.
He said: “If there is anything that requires my comment, position or views, I
will say it. It is only when you kill me that I will stop doing so.”
The former leader, who is known to have spearheaded the emergence of the
Jonathan Presidency, explained that being patriotic demanded the will to
sacrifice anything, including his life for the interest of Nigeria but not his life
for a political party.
“My first preoccupation is what is best for Nigeria: Nigeria first, party second
and anything third,” Obasanjo said.
On the Military
He also accused the Presidency under Jonathan of politicising every public
institution in Nigeria, including the Nigerian military.
“It’s no longer news that the Presidency has politicised every institution in
Nigeria. Even the military has chosen to be another arm of PDP,” he alleged.
Vanguard learnt that Obasanjo might have taken his decision to tear his
membership card and voluntarily quit the party before the leadership,
apparently upset by his tantrums against Jonathan moves against him.
The move to suspend OBJ
It was reliably gathered that the party had mooted the idea of formally
suspending him from its fold but was restrained by the leadership which had
hoped he would soft-pedal over time, only for Obasanjo to unleash more
caustic assaults last week, alleging a determination of the president to win the
forthcoming presidential election by hook or crook.
Obasanjo early yesterday, announced his exit from the party while hosting
members of the PDP from his Ward 11, Abeokuta North Local Government Area
of Ogun State, who called on him to enquire on his continued membership of
the party following what they claimed as the no love lost relationship with the
president.
The members were led by the ward chairman, Alhaji Usman Oladunjoye who
asked him to explain where he belongs.
In his response, Obasanjo said he had his ears close to the ground and said
that he, too, had heard of the plan by the PDP leadership to sanction him.
He said: “You asked me two questions and I will answer them
comprehensively. This Nigeria belongs to all of us and it must not be
destroyed. This is my PDP’s membership card, where I am standing is that
Nigeria belongs to everybody including babies. We must not allow anybody to
destroy it wherever they come from, whatever they have and if they destroy it,
it becomes our burden to our children and incoming generation.
“The question asked is that which party am I? I belong to the group that
believes that Nigeria must not be destroyed. Those of you that are marketers
you observed that there’s inflation in the market. The bureaux de change
operators exchanged dollars with N150 then and is (now) going to be N250 to
a dollar.
“What it means is that, what you’ve been buying for N150 will be bought for
N250, this is not the kind of country we dream of. There’s no job,
employment. Some people have started destroying Nigeria and I will never be
in a party that will destroy Nigeria. Perhaps, you don’t understand that it is
because there’s Nigeria that is why PDP exists. Without Nigeria, there will be
no PDP anymore.
“What some of us should be concerned about now is how to make Nigeria
stronger and our economy would witness economic growth.
I won’t join another party
“They said they want to expel me from PDP, although I have not been told but
I have my ears on ground. We’ve been trying to run away from a man but he
pleads we wait for him at the other side of the river. I have told you before
that I became president on the platform of PDP. Once I leave PDP, I will not
join any party.
“I will only be a Nigerian, I’m ready to work with anybody regardless of
political affiliation. Why would some people say they want to send me away?
They don’t need to bother themselves, here’s your membership card, take it,”
Obasanjo said as he handed over the card to the ward chairman.
“From today on, in the presence of all of us and with your support, I am not
going to be in any political party in Nigeria. I am no more a politician but a
statesman both internally and externally. Once you people are with me what
other people am I looking for?
“And on the day of election, whatever it takes”, the PVC must be obtained, you
don’t need to be a politician before you get your PVC. On the day of election,
you can vote for your choice, but I will vote for those who will repair Nigeria
and not those who will destroy it.
Tears the card
“What is important is that we should hold Ward 11 community together, what
we are going to do now is that I don’t have the burden of PDP again. Help me
tear into pieces my membership card”, he said as the ward chairman dutifully
carried out the directive.
Obasanjo also dismissed claims by the Jonathan campaign organisation that
he was planning the installation of an interim national government.
“How can anybody in his right senses talk of ING in a democratic setting?
Some of them are working for it (but) God will not allow it. In my ward, we’ll
be meeting from time to time to discuss and interact on whatever you want
and what I want.
“I don’t want to be carrying membership card around but you can do that but
when election comes, we’ll pray God would direct us to vote rightly. Nigeria
will be okay, Ogun will be alright,” Obasanjo said.
Ward members jubilate
Immediately after Obasanjo’s card was torn, his ward members rose in
jubilation and started praising him for the action.
Before now, scores of Obasanjo’s loyalists, including the sacked PDP National
Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha; the sacked National Secretary, Prince
Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governor Segun Oni, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Chief
Jide Awosedo and others had defected from the PDP to the APC, on the orders
of the former president.
The former Board of Trustees chairman had also, about a year ago, written an
open letter to President Jonathan, expressing his displeasure about the state
of the nation and the need for him not to continue to associate with the likes
of the Chairman of the Organization and Mobilization Committee of the party
in the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu.
Expulsion drama
Shortly after the development, there was a mild drama when the chairman of
the state chapter of the party, Adebayo Dayo said the chapter had expelled the
former president from the party over alleged “unabated anti-party activities
unbecoming of a highly celebrated party man”.
Dayo at a news conference yesterday, said his Ward 11 Abeokuta North LG
had earlier sent in a letter dated February 12, 2015, expressing serious
concerns at his numerous anti-party activities and uncomplimentary
utterances targeted at the leader of the party, President Jonathan.
Obasanjo’s exit: We remain focused— PDP
Reacting to the development last night, the National Publicity Secretary of the
PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement said the party received the news with
shock but would remain focused.
“While we concede to the inalienable rights of every citizen to hold opinion and
to decide who to associate with, we are however deeply saddened that Chief
Obasanjo, a revered leader of our party, our first presidential flagbearer, whom
the PDP offered the platform to rule our nation for eight years, could decide to
abandon this party at this critical point in time.
“This is especially as Chief Obasanjo, who was also the Chairman of the
highest advisory organ of the PDP, the Board of Trustees (BoT)
discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of our great party with regard
to his reservations on certain issues within our fold. Many Nigerians are still
bewildered as regards what manner of provocation that could have led a
former President to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the
membership card of the party that he once led.
“Indeed, the PDP is hugely at a loss as to how the decision and action of the
former President who had enjoyed the benefits of being elected to the highest
position of leadership will assist in deepening our democracy and stabilizing
the polity.
“It is our considered opinion that no matter the provocation, a statesmanly
disposition from a person of Chief Obasanjo’s status could have encouraged
our citizens and progress stability in the system. We believe, however, that
what this country needs now is patriotic actions that engender national unity,
tolerance and peaceful co-existence of our people irrespective of political,
ethnic and religious persuasions. The overall interest of our nation and well
being of our citizens must remain paramount and above all personal and
group interests.
“Finally, we direct all our members across the country to remain focused on
our campaigns and not to be distracted on this issue. With an array of credible
candidates led by our Presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, we
are sure that we will emerge victorious come March 28 and April 11, 2015
general elections.”
We will not miss him — Anenih
The chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih,
yesterday, dismissed Obasanjo’s decision to dump the PDP, saying that
“leaders will not miss” his departure.
In a brief interview with State House correspondents after meeting with
President Jonathan, Chief Anenih said it is within Obasanjo’s right to dump
the party.
“He (Obasanjo) has the right to leave any party, and he has the right to join
any party, he is a Nigerian” Anenih said.
When he was queried by reporters whether PDP would not miss Obasanjo,
Anenih replied: “Why should we miss him?”
Asked if the former president was not a big loss to the party, the BoT
chairman said “to us leaders it is not a loss.”
Senator Walid Jubril, Secretary BoT
The secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Walid Jubril said
that as a former Chairman of BoT, who knows the procedure of resigning, the
former president should have a re-think and resign properly.
“If I were him, I will not behave the way he did, there are procedures of leaving
the party. He was Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT of the party and with his
position, he would have followed the procedure.
“There is nothing to celebrate there, it is not worth it, that is his palaver, not
our own. As he left, millions have come to the party, many people like former
Vice President Atiku Abubakar left before now. We are facing our
Transformation Agenda for the people of Nigeria. Obasanjo should have a re-
think and do the right thing by following the procedure of the party which gave
him the platform to become the country’s president for eight years.”
Big yoke off PDP’s back — Babatope
Another member of the BoT Chief Ebenezer Babatope said, yesterday, that with
the exit, a huge yoke has been lifted off the necks of PDP.
“Obasanjo leaving the PDP has come as a happy and welcome development.
With Obasanjo’s exit, a huge yoke has been lifted off the necks of PDP. I
congratulate the PDP for being patient in dealing with former President
Obasanjo’s offensives against the party without embarking on wild and
unproductive conclusions.
“Though Obasanjo is a hard fighter, his exit will have no effect of any kind on
the PDP. The PDP will by God’s grace win the March elections.”
Olabode George, others
Former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George; former
governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Minister of Works,
Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe among others, lampooned former President
Olusegun Obasanjo for dumping the PDP.
This was contained in a
statement issued and signed by
members of the South-West
Presidential contact Committee
including Chief Olabode George,
Senator Seye Ogunlewe, Maj.
Gen. A.T. Olanrewaju, Otunba
Gbenga Daniel, Elder Joju
Fadairo, Otunba Adebisi
Omoyeni, Amb. Toye Olofintuyi,
Sen. Adefemi Kila, Chief Segun
Adegoke, Prince Nekan Olateru-
Olagbegi, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Olayinka Omilani, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Sen.
Olu Alabi, Dr. Saka Balogun and Alhaji Mustapha Omokunmi.
The group condemned Obasanjo’s recent remarks saying it was “too
personalised and provocative.”
The South-West PDP group said “the intervention of former President Olusegun
Obasanjo in the current national challenges is distorted, unstatesmanly, too
personalised and provocative.
“Former President Obasanjo cannot and must not assume the role of the
Nigerian overlord with infallible wisdom.”
The committee also said “former President Obasanjo has descended into the
bitter fray of a common partisan actor without the distinction and dignity of a
rallying unifying leader.”
The group noted that Obasanjo has been “very inciting, precipitous and violent
in his utterances and, therefore, likely to provoke untoward events in this
nation.”
It, however, condemned “vigorously with all sense of patriotic candour any
attempt by former President Obasanjo or anybody else, to provoke the collapse
or vitiation of our democracy.”
Calling for the removal of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, the group said the Commission
was unprepared to conduct free and fair elections.
It’s unbecoming of an elder-statesman—Obanikoro
Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday,
said the actions taken by former President Obasanjo was unbecoming of an
elder-statesman.
Obanikoro said this at a youth interactive session organised by the Directorate
of Youth Mobilisation of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation.
The former minister said: “What Obasanjo did is unbecoming of an elder-
statesman. In the history of democracy or in any part of the world, I have
never seen a situation whereby a former President on the platform of a party
did what Obasanjo is reported to have done. If he did that, it shows the level
this society has degenerated into and it is evident that such people, cannot be
trusted with power.”
He was frustrated out – Ihonvbere
Prof. Julius Ihonvbere who worked as Special Adviser on Policy and
Programmes Monitoring in the Obasanjo presidency said that the former
president was frustrated as “baba never wanted to leave the PDP”.
Ihonvbere who himself left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC, and
is presently the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), said “the
manner at which he tore his PDP card and asked his ward chairman to do the
same simply expresses his frustration with the PDP. A man who has been two
term president under PDP, who has been chairman Board of Trustees of the
PDP, for him to take that step means he has seen very many things that the
average Nigerian has not seen.
“The PDP is busy insulting people, lying with statistics and documentaries
while the APC is telling Nigerians what they want to do. So Baba is just
expressing his dissatisfaction, and his belief and if you know him, that is him,
that is his style, he does not pretend for too long.”
Obasanjo did nothing wrong—David West
“Obasanjo did not tear his membership card. He told his ward chairman to
tear it. Obasanjo has a right to join a party of his choice. I have never joined
any party in my life. As a statesman, if he did anything despicable, he should
not be cautioned by the military. He was the chairman of the PDP board of
trustees. He is a statesman that should be respected. He is a disciplined
Nigerian and Nigeria should copy the discipline in the military and extend it to
Obasanjo. He has done nothing wrong. He has the right to express himself
politically and as a former Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, he should
be treated with the respect he deserves.
He is a double dealer— Owie
Also, yesterday, former Senate Whip, Senator Rowland Owie who described
former President Obasanjo as a permanent double dealer, said: “I urge well
meaning Nigerians, President Jonathan, and PDP, who believe in the unity of
Nigeria, freedom of religion, not to be distracted by Obasanjo’s antics, for the
Word of God says, “Why this uproar among the nations, this impotent
muttering of the peoples? Kings of the earth take up position, princes plot
together against Yahweh and his anointed, Now let us break the fetters! Now
let us throw off their bonds! He who is enthroned in the Heavens laughs,
Yahweh makes a mockery of them, then in His anger rebukes them, in His
rage He strikes them with terror Psalm..2..v,.1-5..”
NPP reacts
Also reacting, a group under the aegis, the Nigeria Posterity Project, NPP
described the exit of Obasanjo from PDP as good riddance to bad rubbish.
A statement by its National Coordinator, Louis Ebodaghe, read: “For a man
who ran the PDP as his personal estate during his tenure as president, a man
who brooked no opposition and was intolerant of opposing views, his
unquenchable desire to control the apparatus of the PDP even after he had left
office is legendary.
“Chief Obasanjo has by his self-conceited nature displayed his lack of
decorum by publicly tearing his PDP membership card; an act we consider
childish, dishonourable and portrays him as someone who subscribes to the
principle of pull him down syndrome if he doesn’t have his way.”
He is a mistake to the PDP — Ogundipe
South West Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe on his part
described Obasanjo as a mistake to the PDP.
Speaking with Vanguard, Ogundipe said: “Obasanjo is a mistake to PDP. When
you find an elderly person abusing his junior, he is looking for trouble. I want
to be quoted that when Obasanjo was in office, no one did what he is doing to
Jonathan. Obasanjo will soon tell us what he has done for the Yourba race.
“Under Obasanjo, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway was a death trap. If you want
to measure any government by achievements, Jonathan is ahead of him.
Whatever opinion Obasanjo has, as far as I am concerned, it will have no effect
on the coming elections. I won’t be surprised if Obasanjo is already acting the
script of a foreign government that wants an Interim government in Nigeria.
The Southwest people will not be deceived, we are solidly behind President
Goodluck Jonathan and by the grace of God, he will be returned as president
of Nigeria on March 28″.
Good decision – Benue CNPP
The Benue state chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP,
Mr. Baba Agan on his part lauded Obasanjo’s action saying “it is a step in the
right direction.”
Agan, who spoke to reporters, yesterday, in Makurdi, the Benue state capital,
said “the decision was also the mark of a true statesman.”
He said the former president “should be commended for his decision rather
than being vilified by those who feel that his exit would be injurious to their
political fortunes.
“Honestly, I think that what Obasanjo did was much expected, what he did
was right and proper, because if you agree with me, at his level he shouldn’t
be identified with any party.
Yoruba leaders, PDP chieftains react to Obasanjo’s exit
Speaking on the development, a former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye
Ogunlewe, said: “Obasanjo has laid that foundation before now. He did that
through his actions and comments. We are not surprised that he did that. It is
better for him to go than to remain a mole in the party.”
Founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun said:
“There is freedom of association and Obasanjo has just exercised that. I would
not like to suggest the implications for the Yoruba people but it is not every
Yoruba leader that can be followed by the people. A leader who does
reasonable things will be followed. But when you do unreasonable things, you
will not be followed.”
A former acting National Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Remi Akitoye said the exit
of the former president will not affect the chances of the PDP especially in the
South West.
Akitoye said: “Obasanjo is a responsible member of this society, he is a
founding member of PDP. If there is any disagreement, time and space will
resolve the issue, there is internal mechanism in the structure of the PDP that
allows for dispute resolution. His exit will not and it cannot affect the chances
of the PDP in the South West. What I am very particular about is that, we
have a mechanism in the party to resolve this kind of disagreement. Time and
space will reveal all this.”
He’s a wounded lion—Kashamu
On his part, Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP
South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu called for the immediate investigation and
arrest of Obasanjo on grounds of alleged corruption.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Kashamu accused the former president of
making unguarded utterances capable of heating up the polity.
He said: “My immediate reaction when I heard of Obasanjo’s latest outbursts
were when did this pseudo-democrat become a defender of democracy? Who
has corrupted our electoral and democratic firmament more than Chief
Obasanjo? How can the architect of Third Term Agenda accuse anyone of
trying to scuttle democracy? Obasanjo still wants to continue in power
because if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins, he will be the one that
will control everything. All that is going on now is hypocritical, how can a
pastor work with a fanatic?”
Accussing Obasanjo of working to subvert the will of the people, he said: “Let
us not be deceived. As well-intentioned as Chief Obasanjo’s homily may seem,
it is all lies. It is any open show of his manipulative skills and his well-known
egoistic craving for power and relevance. Obasanjo is a wounded lion that
should be caged to preserve the nation because he yearns to be ruling Nigeria
through the back door.”
Obasanjo’s decision, wise but belated—Tsav
A retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said: ‘’I think the action
taken by Chief Obasanjo in dumping the PDP is honourable and in order. You
will recall that when Obasanjo singularly nominated Jonathan as the running
mate of late Umar Yar’Adua, many of his townsmen objected to that. On his
part, Jonathan described Obasanjo as his benefactor next to God. Jonathan
later referred to Obasanjo as motor-park tout.”
Fani-Kayode who was a minister under Obasanjo is today calling him names.
This reminds me of Hubert Ogunde’s song, titled: Yoruba Ronu. Fayose has
become so wild and undisciplined and has resorted to abusing Obasanjo. The
PDP has degenerated into a party of thugs and desperate persons where truth
has no place. No decent and responsible person will belong to such an
organisation. I hail Obasanjo for his wise and belated decision.’’
He acted unstatesmanly — Austin Opara
On his part, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief
Austin Okpara, said: ‘’It is very unfortunate that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has
acted unstatesmanly. Some of us believed he has behaved as if he is out to
destroy. He should have been a nation builder and not a destroyer.
His approach is not in the best interest of this country and it is very
unfortunate.

how many days will it take one to finish reading this?

A week and half sir

Saint Obasanjo yet to to Nigerians his real problem.

stainlez wrote:

A week and half sir

Lol

is old age thats disturbed baba iyabo!

Baba is still in his right sense bro

stainlez wrote:

Baba is still in his right sense bro

who be BABA? Obj

OBJ of course.

Nah him sabi

The big boss!

big boss indeed

stainlez wrote:

The big boss!

Who are u reffering to ?

baba lota of cos

Owk

eddyvic wrote:

stainlez wrote:

The big boss!

Who are u reffering to ?

OBJ

KETTLE DEY CALL POT BLACK

abelite wrote:

KETTLE DEY CALL POT BLACK

Xplain urself

eddyvic wrote:

abelite wrote:

KETTLE DEY CALL POT BLACK

Xplain urself

Incantation!

stainlez wrote:

eddyvic wrote:

abelite wrote:

KETTLE DEY CALL POT BLACK

Xplain urself

Incantation!

Lol, ah ha ha. E never reach that stage now
hahahahah

hahaha lolz

Abi naw

Weldone baba

won ti baba po nibi

U are too much jo

Tuale

People Deceiving People (pdp) na ni!

Safex wrote:

People Deceiving People (pdp) na ni!

#LIKE#

isn't he supposed to retire.politics is a disease

is not its the way we play it hre n our country President always want to die n office.

ancl wrote:

is not its the way we play it hre n our country President always want to die n office.

Na so

do or die thing

Hmm

Baba himself

stainlez wrote:

Baba himself

The tree that disturbed all the trees in the forest.

Baba lonkesi yen

eddyvic wrote:

ancl wrote:

is not its the way we play it hre n our country President always want to die n office.

Na so

Not Nigeria only all African leader

stainlez wrote:

Baba lonkesi yen

Lol, irumole

20manlotto wrote:

eddyvic wrote:

ancl wrote:

is not its the way we play it hre n our country President always want to die n office.

Na so

Not Nigeria only all African leader

Nah true u yarn

African and power... I taya ooooo!

You no get work@all