(http://edge.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Former-President-Olusegun-Obasanjo-360x225.jpg)The Peoples Democratic Party in the South West on Wednesday said the resignation of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as the chairman of the party's Board of Trustees should not be construed as a sign of his loss of relevance in the nation's politics.
The PDP National Vice Chairman in the South-West and former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Segun Oni, said this in an interview with newsmen during the visit of the newly elected executive of the party in the region to Obasanjo in his Abeokuta residence.
According to Oni, the former president will continue to remain relevant not only in the politics and affairs of the South-West, but also that of the country.
He stressed that Obasanjo's resignation as chairman of the party's BoT would also enable him to have more time for the party in the region, adding that he was bound to play a significant role in the re-engineering of the PDP in the region and the country at large.
Oni said, "No, I can tell you for sure that nobody wanted Baba to leave. It was a surprise to everybody but the only consolation that we all have is that Baba is around also to mentor his successor and to continue to make contributions. "There is no acrimony at all and Baba remains a member of the BoT for life and the position of trustee is also very important position from where Baba can mentor, from where baba can also make further contributions. I told somebody it makes Baba more available for us also because of our demand on him, especially at this material time when we need a quick re-engineering.
"Let me say that the first implication and the first lesson is quit when the ovation is very loud,' when you have a chance to mentor others especially your successor. This is what baba has done.
The PDP vice chairman added that rather than being vilified, Obasanjo should be commended for resigning voluntarily as the chairman of the PDP BoT.
He added that Africa and the rest of the world should learn a lesson from Obasanjo's resignation from a position which he should have ordinarily occupied for life.
He said, "I will say that Baba is always blazing the trail. You don't find so many people all over the world who will easily relinquish the position of leadership."
Baba said he's bowing out as chairman of BoT but he would remain with the BoT, statutorily a member of the BOT for life.
The Punch