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Obasanjo's U-turn:`Zoning is alive
and kicking' as PDP holds
grand
finale of rallies
Newsdiaryonline 26/3/11
Former President
Olusegun Obasanjo who appeared to be speaking from both sides of
his mouth said today that Zoning is alive and kicking.The former
president - who spoke on
the theme of Nigerian identity during the grand finale
of the PDP presidential campaigns
- said there must be
ample opportunities for all in Nigeria. Obasanjo who is touted
to be the power behind Goodluck obviously gloated in the
new found role as he delivered his windy speech.`There is no
looking back for PDP’, he said.
Though the party failed to maintain the earlier- agreed zoning
formula ahead of the last primaries, Obasanjo said zoning is
`alive and kicking’.This contradicts the former president's
position denying the zoning agreement earlier.He said today that
he had met with IBB whom he assured that federal character and
zoning has not been jettisoned.He said
he had been mandated by
the party's BOT to meet
and allay the fears of IBB,Aliyu Gusau and Atiku Abubakar on the
knotty issue.That was why he met IBB. Whether anyone took
his words seriously remains to be seen because Obasanjo has been
described by his critics as a destabilizing factor in PDP.
Obasanjo also made allusion to the fact that Jonathan has been
reported in newspapers that he
will run for only one term.The former president said
this position is a statesmanly
sacrifice that needs to be commended. Governor Babangida Aliyu
also alluded to a deal for Jonathan to do one term.But this
single term issue remains a source of disagreement between
Jonathan and some northern political chieftains who are
reluctant to support the president because of the suspicion that
he may dump the north in 2015. Jonathan has failed, according to
reports, to enter into any written commitment on 2015.
Obasanjo urged leaders to eschew destabilizing politics that may
destroy Nigeria. President Jonathan in his speech
thanked Nigerians for
the support thus far and assured Nigerians that he will indeed
transform the country for the better.He urged Nigerians to
indeed vote him in April as the next president.
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