Encomium
‘IT’S A DISSERVICE TO THE PARTY AND COUNTRY’ – PDP
Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) has explained why he tore his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) membership card publicly. The Ota farmer reportedly justified his action on the ground that he has lost confidence in the party and its policies.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, February 16, 2015, at his Hilltop, Abeokuta, Ogun residence, the former head of state reportedly said that his membership card had become a burden to him hence the decision to get rid of it.
“I instructed that my PDP membership card be destroyed because it has become a burden to me. And I am no longer interested in anything that has to do with PDP.”
However, since the news of OBJ’s action broke, the social media has been awash with pictures and reports of how he handed over the card to the party leader of Ward 11, Abeokuta North, Ogun state.
Reacting to the development on Monday, February 16, 2015, Director of Media and Publicity of President Jonathan Campaign Organization, Ogun State chapter, Mr. Steve Oliyide lampooned the attitude of the former PDP chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), labeling him an ingrate. He added that the unruly action of the influential politician amounted to public disgrace of the party that shaped his political career to the level of ruling the country for two terms consecutively, from 1999 – 2007.
“Yes, OBJ has torn the party’s membership card. He had made it public that he is no longer a card carrying member of PDP. The only unfortunate thing is that he has been the greatest beneficiary of the party, having served as president for eight years on PDP platform. So, is tearing the membership card the reward he should give to the party? To me, what he did was the height of disservice to PDP and Nigeria as a whole.
“Don’t forget, when Murtala Muhammed died in 1976, OBJ was the beneficiary of the unfortunate incident. The same with MKO Abiola, who won the freest, fairest and most credible presidential election in the history of Nigeria’s democracy, even as he stood against late MKO in that election. In other words, OBJ has always hoped to benefit from the misfortunes of others. So, with all these, the question begging for answer is, what is he actually looking for? Aside his self-serving political and economical interests, he has done nothing.
“To say the fact, he’s not fighting in the interest of Nigerians. What has Jonathan actually done against him. He should come out clearly, instead of playing hide and seek game.
“I think, he is just looking for a way of bringing in All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari so that they can be squandering Nigeria’s resources together.”
Probed further on Obasanjo’s alleged expulsion from the party, he reacted, “Although, I am not in a better position to comment on that, all I know is that PDP is a party of principled people. And if you have been following the trend of things, you will agree with me that OBJ has been neck deep in anti party activities in recent times. He has publicly endorsed Buhari. That means his body and soul are in APC. So, what are we saying?”
– TADE ASIFAT
