The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh yesterday enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore the antics of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in playing to the gallery in his letter to him.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, Chief Umeh advised Chief Obasanjo not to misinterpret the Presidents humility as weakness, contending that he ought to be in jail for sundry crimes against humanity, citing the Odi and Zakibiam massacres as examples.
Chief Umeh said Nigerians should hold Chief Obasanjo responsible for the present woes of the country as he bungle very bright opportunity of re-positioning and launching the country on course for sustainable greatness.
He recalled that instead of uniting the country on assumption of office in 1999, the former President carried on a war of hate against Ndigbo and continued to undermine their growth and welfare.
He recalled that instead of uniting the country on assumption of office in 1999, the former President carried on a war of hate against Ndigbo and continued to undermine their growth and welfare.
Chief Umeh regretted that Chief Obasanjo continued to promote ethnic and religion differences, that resulted in wholesale violence and loss of lives that qualified him to be tried for crime against humanity.
He noted that under the former President, corruption and impunity became a way of life in the country when privileged few where given monopoly on economic powers.
He noted that under the former President, corruption and impunity became a way of life in the country when privileged few where given monopoly on economic powers.
Chief Umeh said Chief Obasanjo’s letter was a confirmation of the heavy blow his administration dealt on democracy when election rigging and manipulations were used to muscle out opposition parties and recalled that APGA suffered the same terrible fate in 2003 when its victory was given to PDP and it took three years of legal battle to reclaim the mandate.
He made clear that Chief Obasanjo had no positive reference point or legacy for the people of Nigeria and should therefore not to be taken seriously.
The APGA Chairman noted in particular billions of dollars squandered by the Obasanjo regime on the power sector without any result as well as the huge resources wasted in pursuit of a third term bid.
He presented Jonathan to continue his dedicated and commendable service of building enduring democratic institutions that allow the leaders to elect leaders of their choice without interference with INEC or the peoples vote.
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By Soni Daniel
As the Presidency prepares a reply to the 18-page letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation, indications emerged, yesterday, that the former leader was not expecting any reply but action from Jonathan.
A competent source told Sunday Vanguard that Obasanjo was more interested in Jonathan addressing the core issues he raised in his letter rather than getting a reply to his damning missive, entitled, ‘Before it is too late’.
The source, which also denied any breakfast meeting between Obasanjo and Jonathan in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, said the story was made up by those who tried to play down the importance of the former leader’s letter.
The source said,”The truth of the matter is that former President Obasanjo is not expecting President Jonathan to reply him. Absolutely no. The President did not consider it needful to respond to previous letters privately written to him by the former head of state and he does not expect any reply to this one.
“I can tell you that Obasanjo wrote the letter with the best intentions for Jonathan and Nigeria and what he wants from the President is courageous and timely actions to save Nigeria from the brink. That’s all.
“Obasanjo will be a happy Nigerian if appropriate steps are taken by President Jonathan to address the burning issues of corruption and other challenges that threaten to bring this country down.
“There is absolutely no reason to expect a reply from the Presidency when previous letters written to him were not even acknowledged.”
It was however learnt, at the weekend, that presidential aides have drafted a response to Obasanjo’s letter.
The response was said to be awaiting Jonathan’s approval.
Asked to justify the breakfast parley between the former President and Jonathan in Kenya on the day the bromide of Obasanjo’s letter was feasted on by the media, the source said there was no meeting between the two leaders.
The source said that Obasanjo and Jonathan only met by chance and exchanged pleasantries as they lodged in the same hotel in Nairobi.
Obasanjo stirred controversy when he wrote a letter to Jonathan drawing his attention to myriad of issues capable of taking Nigeria to the brink if not addressed.
But the Presidency fired back, describing the letter as inciting, provocative and self-serving. Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, who’s issued a statement, indicated that Jonathan would make a formal response but did not say when he would do so
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