* Describes decision as injustice against South
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has faulted his former party – Peoples Democratic Party – in picking Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.
Atiku is from Adamawa State, in northern Nigeria and was Obasanjo’s deputy from 1999 to 2007.
Obasanjo argues that the decision is not politically correct, and against the spirit of the understanding between the North and South of Nigeria.
“I am very much aware that it’s the turn of the South to produce the next President of Nigeria. I was part of the meeting when the agreement was made between Northern and Southern leaders,” Obasanjo was widely quoted to have said on Wednesday.
“I am even surprised PDP gave its ticket to another North candidate.
It will be injustice to the South if the North retains power after 8 years of rule,” he reportedly added.
Obasanjo spoke during the visit of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to his Hilltop home in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
“We will do the right thing when the time comes,” the former president said.
Apart from painting Atiku Abubakar in unsavoury colours in his memoir, Obasanjo believes Atiku should never lead Nigeria.
In 2018, he said: “If I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes. But once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support,” he added.