Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, has advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to desist from dabbling into the political future of President Goodluck Jonathan.
This was just as he said that there was need for the ex-president to ensure that Jonathan was not distracted from delivering his electoral promises to Nigerians.
Gulak stated this, yesterday, during?? an interview with LEADERSHIP in Abuja while reacting to media reports that Obasanjo had endorsed Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido? and his? Rivers State counterpart , Mr.? Rotimi Amaechi as presidential and vice presidential candidates for 2015 on the platform of the PDP
According to him,? Obasanjo, as a statesman should play a father figure role and not dabble into the political future of Jonathan.
Amaechi had reportedly denied that he was running with Lamido just as 27 Local Government Chairmen?? in Jigawa State had backed Lamido’s candidacy.
But Gulak said that it was unfortunate that Obasanjo could allegedly endorsed a Lamido/Amaechi ticket , when Jonathan was still serving as president? and leader of the party.
He, however, said that he if it was? true that Obasanjo was fronting for Lamido/ Amaechi for 2015, then the ex-president was not fair to the country .
He said, “But the question is in what capacity is Obasanjo endorsing some governors for 2015?? Is it as the father of the nation or the President of Nigeria or what? First, Obasanjo is not the president of Nigeria and secondly, although he is one of our leaders, nobody has arrogated the monopoly of anointing candidates to him.
“Having said that, if it is true that Obasanjo has done what has been credited to him, then it is safe to say that he is not fair to this country and I believe that what this country needs to do is to deliver on the promises made to the electorate in 2011.
“Obasanjo was part of the system from 1976 to 1979 and then from 1999 to 2007. Obasanjo should play the role of a father-figure, to advise and not to keep on pock- nosing into the affairs of the nation by choosing people who should run and who should not.
“He had played his role, everybody gave him their support. One good turn deserves another. It is therefore incumbent on him to support President Jonathan to deliver on his electoral promises to the people and not ryle the system unnecessarily.
“When we reach the bridge we shall cross it. But we are only in 2012, just one year after the last election. Are we therefore telling Nigerians that everything is just about election? Why are we relegating to the background our promises to the nation?” the presidential queried.