2023: I have no special candidate, Obasanjo says in Minna

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday told journalists that he has no special candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Mr Obasanjo was in Minna on Sunday. He held a closed-door meeting with former military president Ibrahim Babangida.

He then visited his predecessor and former military Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar at his residence in Minna.

In July, self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusader, Mahdi Shehu, alleged that Mr Obasanjo was rallying the northern leaders to support the emergence of Labour Party’s Peter Obi as president in the 2023 election.

But shortly after his meeting with the former head of state, Mr Obasanjo maintained: “I don’t have a special candidate, as far as 2023 presidential election is concerned.

“I have come to see my brother who was a bit indisposed and when he was abroad I had wanted to visit him, and the day I arrived in London to visit him was the day he left.

In London, Mr Obasanjo, in company of Mr Obi met with some governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, led by Rivers governor Nyesom Wike. 

Mr Wike and his allies had been in battle with their party’s presidential candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar. Mr Obasanjo had dismissed Mr Atiku, his former deputy, as unsuitable for the 2023 race.

Mr Obasanjo said he visited General Abubakar because “he is special in a way and he was indisposed, so I had to come and see him.”

“If there is anybody again who is special and indisposed that I have to see, I will see him. I am still strong enough,” he said.

(NAN)