PDP, APC must work hard to sustain democracy – Obasanjo

PDP, APC must work hard to sustain democracy – Obasanjo

ON November 11, 2017 7:29 PM / IN News ,

Politics / BY Ugoh Solomon Chinonso 

By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA- Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) need fresh ideas to promote democracy in the country.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo made this observation when he received one of the PDP national chairmanship aspirants, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Saturday in Abeokuta.

He re-emphasized that he was no longer interested in partisan politics in Nigeria.

Obasanjo who reiterated for the umpteenth time that he has quit partisan politics, remarked that for the country’s democracy to remain vibrant, both the ruling party and the opposition must be strong.

“I have also said that the two parties that are there, the one in government and the one in opposition are both wobbling parties.

“I still believe that the two wobbling parties can still be made strong. They can,’’ Obasanjo said.

He noted that his decision to leave the PDP was arrived at when he found out that the party had been damaged beyond what he could be associated with at that point, adding that nothing could have stopped the party for remaining in the saddle for at least 50 years.

“That has happened in some other countries like Germany, where a party runs the affairs of the county for decades, but of course, that is not the history in our own case,” he stated.

“If we are just saying PDP has a crisis, which is self-made and that the Supreme Court had resolved the crisis for us, we are just deceiving ourselves.

“The Supreme Court has taken a right decision as an apex court should, but as a party, only that cannot help you to do it all.’’

He prayed for PDP to get its national convention right, saying the chairmanship of the party was very important.

“I had four PDP chairmen under me in eight years. So, I know what it takes to have a good or bad chairman for a party,’’ said the ex-President.

He counseled Dokpesi to use his media network well in the interest of the country to avoid and correct past mistakes.

Speaking earlier, Dokpesi said he was in Abeokuta to seek the prayer and blessings of Obasanjo in his quest of becoming the PDP national chairman.

He said that anyone aspiring to be national chairman of a political party must consult with the former president.

“I am much aware that you are not interested in partisan politics but you are the father of the nation.

“You are much committed to the unity, stability and continued existence of this country.

“You have dedicated all your life to the building of this country.

“Therefore, anything that is good for this country is a matter of interest to you,’’ Dokpesi said.

According to him, PDP would continue to plead for the forgiveness of Obasanjo for its trespasses and transgressions, while calling on the PDP to remain strong “As 2019 is fast approaching.”

The media mogul was accompanied to Abeokuta by Senator Yisa Braimoh and PDP governorship aspirant in Delta State, Dr. Esther Uduehi.