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2023: Okowa in private talks with Obasanjo
By Ibrahim Adeleke
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former leaders and all stakeholders, including the country’s traditional rulers have been called upon to find lasting solution to the insecurity and economic situations bedevilling Nigeria.
The governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa made this disclosure on Tuesday, after a private visit to the former President at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He particularly said Obasanjo, a three-time leader over the Nigerian nation, must wade in.
In a release by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the governor lamented that the need for consultation had become necessary, because the situation in the country was getting very troubled.
According to him, the troubled situation “has the capacity to destroy our economy, which is not in our best interes”.
“It is time the country have to come together, all well-meaning people, all stakeholders must come together to think Nigeria first. We need the collective effort of all at this period.
“This is something that is threatening the fabric of our unity and not something we have to play with,” the statement quoted Okowa as having said, adding, “the situation is getting worrisome and it’s time we all have hands on deck to be able to find solution.
“As it stands today, the APC run government cannot alone be able to deal with it and they need to find wide and a far-reaching consultation, not with those in government alone, but, all stakeholders, particularly those who have been part of running this country before and now, including even religious leaders we need to sit together and discuss the way forward,” Akinyemi quoted Okowa as saying.
The governor who disclosed that he was on a private visit, described Obasanjo as “as someone who truly understands Nigeria through and through and we bless God for having somebody like him”.
He said Nigerians needed to tap from him, especially at a time like this, which will help to shape this nation. And I thanked God for the wonderful discussions that I had with him.
The governor added that he came to share ideas with Obasanjo, in addition to the situation in Nigeria.
“He was ready to give fatherly advise. I also discuss with him some issue concerning my state and he willingly advise me too. He is a respository of knowledge and experience,” Okowa recalled of his private talks with Obasanjo.
On his next line of action ahead of the 2023 general elections, Okowa said he was yet to make up his mind on whether to contest for the President or not, saying, “finding solution to the nation’s problem is more important than the presidential race for me”.
“As at today, I have not made up my mind. The important thing is not about myself, is about the nation, Nigeria. The future of hope. What level of consensus can we build in order to achieve our dream. Our dream is to see Nigeria begin to have an improvement in our security and in the level of economy. These are somethings we have not achieved at the moment.
“The country is so stressed, so much stress in the land. So much unemployment, so much inflation and unfortunately the things that unite us are badly threatened and we cannot even be sure of tomorrow. These are the things we must discuss. We must all come together to stop this tide of drift at the moment, that is the type of things we should be more concerned about.”
The Delta governor also said the All Progressives Congress government had failed Nigerians and that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was poised to take over.
