* Backs South-east clamour for power shift
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has extolled the leadership qualities of technocrat, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, saying he is eminently qualified to serve Nigeria at the highest office.
Obasanjo made the assertion Thursday while receiving Ohuabunwa, who paid him homage at the iconic Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Ohuabunwa, accompanied by some friends and associates, visited Obasanjo to wish him happy birthday, after attaining 85 years of age.
And predictably during the visit, Ohuabunwa had a candid conversation with Obasanjo ranging from his (Ohuabunwa’s) presidential ambition, to nagging issues about Nigeria.
Obasanjo, after listening to Ohuabunwa, encouraged his guest, saying: “I know you; I have been following your progress, and I know you have what it takes to provide leadership at the highest level.”
Obasanjo further said he has long looked forward to seeing someone from the South-east becoming the president of Nigeria, adding that he has publicly expressed the wish on a number of occasions, even as recently as last week. According to him, that will complete the cycle of reconciliation in Nigeria.
The former president said he is convinced that beyond the ephemeral, there are a lot of things a president from the Southeast can “bring to the table”, to help cement the bond of unity among Nigerians.
Besides, Obasanjo acknowledged that a Nigerian president of Southeast extraction will model hard work, and engender the spirit of entrepreneurship among the country’s teeming youth population vis-à-vis the much needed wealth creation.
Obasanjo perusing Ohuabunwa’s rich resume, documented vision for Nigeria…
Ohuabunwa presenting a birthday portrait to Obasanjo
Specifically on his presidential ambition, Obasanjo reminded Ohuabunwa that the project is a tough one, encouraging him to endure further.
Obasanjo said he looks forward to when a South easterner will emerge the President of Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists after the visit, Ohuabunwa said the aspiration by the people of the Southern part of Nigeria – specifically the South east – to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the right thing to do at this material time.
He said that “sharing is what has ensured the unity of this country,” buttressing his argument with the Federal Character principle, which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He further argued that in a nation of diverse ethnicity as Nigeria, the only way to ensure peace, unity and progress of the entity is to treat everybody fairly, including the fairness of equal opportunity to leadership.