I Can’t Sacrifice My Life For Any Political Party — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Thursday he was not ready to sacrifice his life for any political party, but would prefer doing that for Nigeria.
Mr. Obasanjo stated this when the Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP, Martins Onovo, paid him a visit at his Hilltop private residence in Abeokuta.
“My first pre-occupation is what is best for Nigeria; Nigeria first, party second and any other thing third. Nigeria first means I will not sacrifice anything for the interest of Nigeria but I can sacrifice my own life for the interest of Nigeria, I can’t sacrifice my life for the interest of a party, I will sacrifice my life for the interest of Nigeria,” he declared.


Mr. Obasanjo commended the role Gani Fawehinmi, founder of NCP, saying the late lawyer did not only fight injustice but also checked the excesses of governments in power.
“In the interest of a better society there is always the need for some people to serve as watchdogs. Fawehinmi throughout his life devoted his intellect and energy to fight injustice, bad governance, corruption and other social vices,” he said.
“Let me pay tribute as I have done in my recent book‎ to the founder of your party, Gani Fawehinmi, I believe he was a genuine social critic though you may not agree with all that he said or how he went about them. But he was definitely a genuine social critic, so you (Martins) as the flag bearer of the party he founded, if you should follow his footsteps of integrity and genuine critical analysis and committed analysis and criticism of the situation in the country, I think nobody will fault you,” Mr. Obasanjo said to his guest.
Mr. Obasanjo said “Let me make my own position clear, I am a card carrying member of PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) because that is the party on which platform I became the president of this country”.
His further advised his guest that “If what you’re trying to do is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians accept and vote for you, who I am I not to accept you as President of Nigeria, I will. But whatever may be the outcome of the election after you have done all that you can, once the election is free and fear and undisturbed, uninterrupted, then you have to accept the verdict of the people”.
The former President reiterated his call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure free, fair and transparent elections that would be acceptable to Nigerians.