Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday formally received and endorsed the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka (GNI), for Ogun state ahead of the 2019 polls.
The ex-President received Isiaka at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, Ogun state, alongside other candidates of the party for the 2019 elections.
“The statement I made on the 23rd of January was to itemise what is wrong and the subsequent action of establishing Coalition of Nigeria Movement is to start doing something, not just complaining.
“That we have gone from that statement to the movement and adoption of party (ADC) is because in the context of moving Nigeria forward, our constitution only allows political parties as instruments,” Obasanjo said.
He pointed out that Nigerians are desirous of “something different”, hence, ADC could only win election and bring good governance when the party takes the path not taken by other leading parties.
Speaking on the 2019 election in Ogun State, Obasanjo reiterated his support for power-shift to Ogun West Senatorial district where Isiaka comes from, in the spirit of fairness.
He noted that the zone has not produced governor since creation of the state in 1976.
He described the ADC governor flagbearer as a worthy candidate “who has ears and listens to the words of the elders.”
“I am happy today that you are presenting a candidate who is worthy of being a candidate. Then, what do you expect me to do? What do you expect me to say? Than to say this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.
“I have known GNI for quite a time. He once took a wrong step and I told him. Immediately, he retraced his steps. So, he has ears and he listens”, Obasanjo added.
The former President insisted that he remains non-partisan having torn his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card in 2014, saying he would only serve as adviser to all political parties.
Obasanjo warned ADC candidates against votes-buying, politics of bitterness, even as he urged them to rally support of all towards winning 2019 elections in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of ADC, Chief Gbolade Osinowo said the party which Obasanjo had adopted having collapsed the structure of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) has grown to become a third force in Nigeria and “as first political party in Ogun State.”
He added that the leadership of ADC deemed it fit to formally present all the pioneer candidates to Obasanjo for his blessings before they go into full-blown campaigns ahead of next year’s elections in the state.
In his response, Isiaka promised not to disappoint Obasanjo and Ogun indigenes if elected as governor in 2019.
“By the special grace of God, by May 29, 2019, we will bring you, the trophy of the governorship of Ogun State, and say that ‘we have conquered and we have won,” he said.
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