Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated his interest in continued unity of Nigeria saying his political interest transcends regional or ethnic agenda.Speaking while receiving the leaders of a new political pressure group South West Network (SWN) in Abeokuta on Saturday,Obasanjo said his disposition accounted for his continued defence and protection of all ethnic groups in the country.
He said his cries against marginalisation of the South West was to ensure that there was political balance in the country and thus help President Jonathan in manage the country.
“The problem started when South West could not get what was due to it at the start and nothing was done to correct it despite drawing the attention to this ;and we made several efforts to also ensure that governors were aligned with the President, but it was not possible” Obasanjo said.
He reiterated his continued support for the PDP as a “card carrying member” but that he was unable to accept to be associated with people with criminality and self serving agenda.
Obasanjo congratulated the new pressure group for coming together to salvage the zone from the present political leadership problem and disunity and advised them to avoid people with selfish motives and criminal tendencies.
” All of you know where you come from and our people will not accept people who are tainted with evil and corrupt tendencies and who are self centered without the interest of the people of the zone.So I wish you well and am ready to receive you when you want” Obasanjo said.
While briefing the former President, the Chairman of the SWN, Senator Hosea Agboola, said the group was formed to redress the sliding relevance of the South West in the Nigerian Political space adding that disunity,continuous bickering and leadership vacuum have contributed to the Marginalisation of the zone.
He said the group was embarking on reconciliation of leaders and providing the platform to rally round the South west members of the PDP to take their rightful position in the scheme of things.
Agboola the current deputy chief whip of the Senate,pleaded with Chief Obasanjo not to abandon the party but to continue to guide the leadership for good governance despite being a national and international figure.The South West would continue to demand his support for the enhancement of its socio political development.
“We call on you baba not to abandon us as we continue to need you to revive the PDP in the zone” Agboola said
The group also paid a courtesy visit to the former National Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George to congratulate him on the Supreme Court verdict saying his innocence and integrity has been vindicated.