Obasanjo defends choice of Obi, says ‘Nigeria doesn’t deserve leader with bad character’

Tamarauemi Ebimini

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why he threw his weight behind the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, as his preferred candidate, saying Nigeria doesn’t deserve a leader with bad character.

He spoke on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while featuring on an interactive session organised by the Experiential Leadership in Africa (TEL-Africa) with the theme: “Executive Decisions, Indecisions, and Leadership Development in Africa.”

In his New Year message to Nigerians, entitled: “My appeal to all Nigerians particularly young Nigerians,” Obasanjo had backed Obi’s candidacy because “he has an edge” over other candidates.

Expectedly, Obasanjo’s position ruffled the feathers of some leading candidates in the presidential race.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu described Obasanjo’s backing of Obi as “worthless”, while his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, said it was Obasanjo’s personal wish which does not reflect the opinion or “position of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the country.”

Speaking at the interactive session, Obasanjo said he did not use the word “endorsed” in the open letter, as he only expressed his opinion on the candidates.

He said, “Whether the letter is open or not open, what I believe is that I will be punished by God if I know what is right and I did not put it where it should be.

“The word I used is that one particular candidate has an edge, taking everything together and I take character, I take track record, I take vision and I take what you see in this man as a child of God.