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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been accused of intentionally weakening Nigeria’s opposition in a bid to advance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Discussion board made this accusation in an announcement on Sunday by its President, Chief Akin Malaolu.
The group mentioned Obasanjo’s current letter to former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, was not merely an assault on former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, however a calculated try to discredit the opposition coalition.
The discussion board famous that within the letter, Obasanjo alleged that Atiku mobilised the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to provoke impeachment proceedings in opposition to him whereas he was President.
In keeping with the group, Atiku has already responded by accusing Obasanjo of remaining bitter over his position in irritating the previous President’s controversial third-term agenda.
The assertion argued that by involving the late Na’Abba within the allegations, Obasanjo had made claims that would now not be challenged by somebody unable to defend himself.
“Many imagine the assault was directed solely at Atiku, but it surely goes far past that. The letter represents a deliberate try to weaken the opposition and sow mistrust inside its ranks,” the assertion mentioned.
The discussion board additional alleged that Obasanjo’s public help for Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was meant to hide his alleged backing of the Tinubu administration.
In keeping with the group, earlier than the ADC emerged because the platform for the opposition coalition, consultations have been held with a number of political leaders, together with Obasanjo, who was primarily centered on securing help for Obi’s presidential ambition.
The assertion additional claimed that Obasanjo had indicated to some Southwest leaders that he would publicly withdraw his help for Obi if the previous Anambra State governor accepted the ADC vice-presidential ticket.
It additionally alleged that when it turned clear that Obi wouldn’t emerge because the ADC’s presidential candidate, Obasanjo inspired political realignments that finally led to defections to the Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC), utilizing Kwankwaso as a part of that technique.
The discussion board additional claimed that Obasanjo was discreetly working with a member of President Tinubu’s household to facilitate political preparations aimed toward strengthening the President’s prospects within the 2027 election.
“It’s ironic that the identical man who inspired the Southwest to embrace pan-Nigerian politics following the return to democracy in 1999 has now retreated into ethnic politics to help what the group described as a politically embattled Tinubu administration,” the assertion mentioned.
