Nobody can threaten me over my choice of 2023 presidential candidate – Obasanjo

Newsflash Nigeria StaffDecember 13, 2022

2 minutes read

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said nobody can threaten him with his choice of candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

Speculations have been rife that the former president, who served between 1999-2007, might be supporting Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the 2023 election.

In October, Mr Obasanjo deliberately gave his seat to Mr Obi at a gathering in Abuja, deepening the rumour of his support for the LP presidential candidate.

Also, Akin Osuntokun, a former political adviser to Mr Obasanjo had recently disclosed that his ex-principal may be supporting the former Anambra governor for the presidential seat.

Mr Obasanjo is also believed to be rallying other former heads of state, influential retired generals and powerful northerners including traditional rulers for Mr Obi.

Mr Obi has continued to gain wide support from Nigerians, particularly from the youth who have been making financial donations to support his political campaigns ahead of the election.

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Meanwhile, Obasanjo said he had shed blood and gone to prison; hence nobody could threaten him about his choice of a presidential candidate.

He disclosed this at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Secretariat in Enugu State.

Obasanjo had visited the Secretariat in the company of Afenifere’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Peter Obi.

They visited the Secretariat to pay condolence over the death of First Republic Aviation Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi.

Speaking in Enugu on Monday after signing the condolence register for First Republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, Mr Obasanjo said that Nigerians needed a president with character.

“I have shed my blood for this country. I have gone to prison for this country.

“So, what are you going to frighten or threaten me with? The only thing that my senior brother (Adebanjo) hasn’t done is that he hasn’t shed his blood but he has gone to prison but we will leave that aside.”

“If I put my hand on someone, it means that comparing with the other, I see that there is a merit that will be of benefit to Nigeria,” Mr Obasanjo said.

He observed that the problem bedevilling the country was more national than ethnic, stressing that Nigeria needed a character-redefined leader who could be trusted with leadership roles.

“The problem we have in our hands in Nigeria is not ethnic. It is national. And for me, the most important thing in a leader with character.

“The problem we have had is that we have not had a leader with the right type of character that they should be trusted with the leadership role,” the former Nigerian president added.