How corruption charges stopped Peter Odili from being Yar’Adua’s VP – Obasanjo

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how corruption charges stopped former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili from being running mate to late former President, Umaru Yar’Adua.

Obasanjo, in a virtual interview with historian and academic, Toyin Falola, said Odili was the favourite and not former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said Odili readily came to mind when a running mate to Yar’Adua was being sought, as he was much more stronger than Jonathan in terms of personality.

Obasanjo stated that Odili had an issue with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which made him to be dropped.

He said when Odili was dropped, Jonathan was the next person in line as he had everything going well with him.

In his words: “Now, we needed a running mate for Yar’adua. There were two possibilities – the first possibility was Peter Odili.

“Peter Odili was a much stronger personality than Goodluck Jonathan but Peter Odili had an EFCC issue which made him to be dropped and once he was dropped, the next man was Goodluck Jonathan and Goodluck Jonathan had all going for him.

“He was not a strong character as Peter Odili, I will admit that, but he was not a pushover; he had been a deputy governor, he had been a governor and his state was doing fairly well.”