Daniel Bwala, spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, has said Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi is a ploy by the former President to actualise his botched third term bid.
Bwala described it as a “stylish” attempt by the former president of a third term in office by proxy.
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He said this while featuring as a guest on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics.
Mr Obasanjo in a letter to Nigerians on 1 January, endorsed Mr Obi for the February 25 election.
Obasanjo in his letter said, “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.
“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively.” he said
But Mr Bwala appears not to be impressed by the explanations, saying Mr Obasanjo had attacked every president who ruled after him because he believes only himself had done well in office.
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Mr Bwala said, “In his 2014 or 2015 letter, he accused GEJ of training snippers to kill citizens, even though it was proved to be a false allegation, in his 2018 or 2019 letter, he accused Buhari of trying to divide Nigeria and cause secession, and today he is writing another letter to accuse two other candidates whom he has vowed would never ascend to the nations loftiest seat, even though he made a U-turn and supported Atiku in 2019 because of hatred for Buhari whom he played a role in bringing him to power. So it’s all about him. To him his wishes and will equals the wishes and will of the nation.”
Mr Bwala said the 2023 election will be decided by Nigerians not on the basis of “a letter by a man seeking a third term by proxy, but by their own assessment of who amongst the candidates presents the case they believe warrant their votes.
“The letter is not new, the contents are not surprising, but it seems his legacy betrays his assertion in the letter. Baba OBJ, Nigeria has moved on, please allow our democracy to grow and respect the will and wishes of the Nigerian people.”
Mr Bwala challenged Mr Obasanjo to follow Mr Obi to his campaign rallies and town hall meetings if the former president truly believes in his personal popularity.