I believe in what I wrote to Jonathan, Obasanjo insists

More fact emerged yesterday on the visit of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday.

Obasanjo, who wrote a critical letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, was said to have insisted that he stood by the issues he raised in his letter.


He said he wrote the letter in the larger interest of the survival of Nigeria and its democracy, contrary to the notion that he was self-seeking, The Nation learnt.

The letter contained many allegations, including that Jonathan was training snipers. The former President, according to sources, said he was ready to prove the allegations.

Obasanjo reportedly opened up to some top leaders of the APC at a closed-door session in Abeokuta.

It was gathered that although the ex-President had warmly received all members of the entourage, he bared his mind to select few on the state of the nation.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “After the initial obeisance, banters, and the purpose of the APC mission, the ex-President had audience with a group of six or seven leaders.

“He told the them that he believed in what he wrote and he had no regrets for doing so. He said he was not ‘self-seeking’ in writing President Jonathan.

“The ex-President also told the team that ‘if it is necessary, I will provide evidence on some of the issues. I have my facts.’

Another source said the ex-President’s body language was a “bit stronger on his point on snipers but he did not go into details”.

Responding to a question, the source added: “Obasanjo restated his faith in a united and indivisible Nigeria. He also pleaded with APC leaders to remain committed to one Nigeria, irrespective of the political situation in the country.”

The source quoted Obasanjo as saying: “I did not write the letter to curry favour or seek undue attention but at my age, I should talk when things are going wrong. I am not on a self-seeking mission.”

The source said Obasanjo declared that he would not leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On the mission of APC leaders, a third source said a National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu captured it in his interview with reporters that they were not out to woo Obasanjo.

“In fact, the APC leaders told Obasanjo that having consulted with past leaders on the state of the nation; they also owed him a duty to brief him on why they are after a change of leadership in 2015.”