President, Obasanjo Meet In Abeokuta To Mend Fences

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday took a desperate shot at peace with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as he was a night secret guest at the hilltop mansion where he held a night meeting.

The president and former president has been working at cross purposes since Jonathan indicated his interest to stand for re-election which Obasanjo vehemently opposes claiming Jonathan had promised to run for one term.

The crisis reached point of no return when in December 2013, Obasanjo wrote an open letter to Jonathan accusing hin among other things of incompetence, corruption and allegation of a ‘Hit Squad’ by the presidency.

Jonathan replied the letter in no less pungent language and since the crisis became public, the duo has been using every opportunity to attack each other.

The opposition of Obasanjo to the re-election aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan, presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had earlier played out in the day as the former president snubbed his campaign.

Obasanjo, described by Jonathan as his greatest benefactor was conspicuously absent at the MKO Abiola Stadium, venue of the event.

Jonathan, who arrived the M.K.O stadium 3: 50p.m in company of Vice president Namadi Sambo, governors Segun Mimiko and Peter Obi, moved into the state box, together with other members of his entourage.

Correspondents in the state capital had from 12pm laid siege to the hilltop mansion of Obasanjo in anticipation of the arrival of Jonathan.

A credible source told LEADERSHIP, the former president did not have Jonathan on the list of guests expected at the sprawling abode yesterday.

At 2: 59p.m, a Prado Jeep accompanied by a security Hilux left the mansion through the private gate of the former president.

Later, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) who had earlier been keeping tabs on the residence left the place at exactly 3: 36p.m when it became obvious that Jonathan was not visiting.

He however mentioned the name of Obasanjo while reeling out names of great leaders from Ogun State. He said Ogun had produced great leaders like chief Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo and MKO Abiola, the winner of June, 12, 1993 presidential election.

Jonathan however decided to visit in the night devoid of prying eyes.

He arrived at the house around 7:30pm and zoomed out at 9:56pm. Attempts by our correspondent to get detail of the meeting were abortive as security operatives attached to the former president stopped journalists from covering the event.

Source