Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will only be re-admitted into Nigeria’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, if he tenders an “unreserved apology” to the party, a top official has said.
Walid Jibrin, Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees, stated this at his country home in Marmara, Nasarawa State, on Saturday.
The former president caused quite a stir over a week ago when he publicly returned his membership card to the chairman of the party in his ward, who in turn, tore it to shreds, signaling Mr. Obasanjo’s exit from the ruling party.
Speaking at a ceremony to announce the defection of his son, Imrana Jibrin, from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP, the BoT scribe said “Obasanjo must offer unreserved apology before he is admitted and his card re-issued”.
Mr. Obasanjo’s decision to dump the party on whose platform he won election as Nigeria’s president for 8 years, followed his disagreement with President Goodluck Jonathan and some of the party’s leaders, particularly alleged fugitive politician, Prince Buruji Kashamu.
Speaking on Saturday, Mr. Jibrin said although the party would be glad to receive Obasanjo back to its fold, he would have to apologise.
He also said the ex-president will be accorded his rightful place if he returns as he served the party meritoriously and the reasons for his exit were very unfortunate.
“Even Obasanjo who tore our card, if he decides to say I want a new card we will give him and he will apologise to Nigerians and our party, the PDP, then we will bring him back.
“Our party is a disciplined party and disciplines every member from the lowest to the highest”, the official said.
Mr. Jibrin said that the future of Nigeria’s democracy lies in the PDP, which he said has the capacity to address the country’s challenges.
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