Obasanjo finally endorses Atiku for 2019 presidency

Bishop Oyedepo at Obasanjo's residence during a closed door meeting with Atiku, others. 11 October 2018.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has thrown his weight behind the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar.

This was after they met in a closed door meeting on Thursday, at the former president's residence, within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.

Atiku, who was Nigeria’s vice president during Obasanjo’s presidency from 1999 to 2007, is the main candidate challenging President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigeria’s highest office in 2019.

Atiku arrived at his former boss’s premises at about 1:05 pm on Thursday.

Atiku was accompanied by his campaign Director-General and former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and Senator Murray Ben-Bruce, ex Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke, ex-Minister Osita Chidoka.

Also at the meeting were the leader of Afenifere Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Minister Bishop David Oyedepo, Outspoken clerics Bishop Matthew Kukah and Sheikh Ahmed Gumi.

Speaking on Thursday, Obasanjo said he was willing to work with his former deputy to realise his presidential ambition and take the nation out of its challenges.

Atiku Abubakar has expressed excitement on the outcome of his meeting with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo said: “Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here.

“Yes, when it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo. In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku.

“And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself. As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.

“I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself. I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.

“From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

“Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you.”

The former president made the declaration after a closed-door meeting with Atiku, who visited him at his residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.