2023: OBJ disowns PDP, Atiku, supports Southern presidency

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, former President Olusegun Obasanjo might have disowned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, by throwing his weight being Southern presidency.

According to a statement by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President, who  supports change of leadership from the North to the South, encouraged the Middle Belt to continue advocating for a rotational presidency.

Obasanjo made the declaration at the weekend when the leadership of Mzough U Tiv (MUT), the apex socio-cultural group in Tiv land of Benue State, paid him ‘Appreciation and Friendship’ visit at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The former President also Advising all Nigerians to eschew emotions ahead of the election,  the former President said that was the only way to get things right in the elections.

“Obasanjo said he was in support for the change of the leadership of the country from the North to the South, while the Middle-Belt region should continue to advocate for rotational presidency for the country.

“If Nigeria is ready to get it right, the 2023 election should be a turning point. We should not go for emotion that will destroy us,” Obasanjo, who was conferred with the title of a “Great Warrior” of Tiv land by the socio-political group, said.

He also said with the growing population of the country, the oil and gas sector could no longer feed the nation, but agriculture.

According to the statement, Obasanjo enjoined Nigerians to see the country as for all, “to save it and restore to what God has created it to be.”

“Only farming and agric business could tackle the nation’s growing population. Farming and agric Business is what will feed the nation”, Obasanjo said.

He called on the Tiv people to focus on farming and agric business, stating that he had put the experience of having his farm burnt in Benue State behind him, disclosing that he would establish an industry in the state next year.

Earlier in his speech, the President-General of the group, Chief Lorbee Ihagh, said the group’s friendship visit “is basically to interface with you as our former Head of State, a political pillar, a nationalist and elder statesman to appreciate your overwhelming love, passion and concern you have demonstrated over the Tiv people”.

Chief Ihagh, who also said the visit was historic, listed three prayers for the former President’s consideration, including the need for the establishment of a fruit juice industry in Benue State and inclusive national politics.

Also, was the issue of Fulani herders’ attack on TIV land and position on the Nigerian power sharing formula.

Ihagh further said: “With regards to the current power equation in the country, we in the Mzough u Tiv in conjunction with the Middle Belt Forum had unanimously resolved for power shift from the North to the South for fairness, justice and a true federalism.

“We want to call on your Excellency and other well meaning Nigerians to strictly adhere to the principle of rotation and distributive justice. If this is enforced, the middle Belt would also be assured of producing the next president come year 2031,”