Former President Olusegun Obasanjo may endorse the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, anytime from now, according to reports.
Atiku was Obasanjo’s deputy from 1999 to 2007, although both men share a checkered history.
Obasanjo has on many occasions enunciated his disdain for Atiku, vowing never to support any political ambition of the Waziri of Adamawa.
In a popular interview with Premium Times in August, Obasanjo said, “How can I be on the same side with Atiku? To do what?
“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.
“I do not have personal grudges with anyone.
“If you do not do well for Nigeria, you do not do well for all of us.”
He added, “It is not a question of working with or not working with an individual.
“If you are working for the good of Nigeria, I am working with you. If you are not working for the good of Nigeria it does not matter who you are I am not working with you.”
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But Sahara Reporters reported, quoting a source close to Obasanjo, that the ex-president may finally bury the hatchet with his ex-vice president.
Obasanjo is believed to have been softened by Atiku’s decision to pay a personal tribute to him just after he was declared the winner of the PDP presidential ticket by the Chairman of the National Convention, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
“Finally, on a personal note, I wouldn’t have been standing where I am today if my former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, had not made me his Vice President.
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“Under his tutelage, I learnt quite a lot, and I believe the experience I have got is going to impact on how I eventually govern this country. I wish to pay my personal tribute to him,” Atiku had said.
Obasanjo, who rejected incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid in a viral January 13 letter, is believed to be considering endorsing Atiku.
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The source was quoted as saying, “Baba believes that Buhari is too rigid, and you know Baba said long time ago that Buhari should go and rest in 2019.
“Yes, Atiku and Baba have a history. But these days, he has been saying Atiku, despite all his foibles, will at least create more jobs and help to revive the ailing economy.”
Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida also endorsed Atiku ahead of the 2019 polls.