Obasanjo Urges PDP to Purge Itself of ‘Hypocrites and Bad Eggs’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rid itself of what he described as hypocrites and “bad eggs” if the party hopes to rebuild and regain its political strength.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Sunday while receiving PDP leaders from the South-West, led by the party’s National Vice Chairman for the zone, Dr Eddy Olafeso, at his residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The former president said the PDP needed what he described as a “critical mass of committed people” who would remain loyal to the party and to the broader goal of building a better Nigeria regardless of political circumstances.

According to him, some politicians were more interested in personal gain than in rebuilding the party, warning that such individuals could prevent the PDP from returning to what he regarded as its former strength.

Obasanjo said Nigeria needed a strong and vibrant opposition to deepen democracy and provide an effective alternative to the ruling party.

He maintained that the country could not make meaningful progress if political parties failed to attract people genuinely committed to national development.

“I knew PDP would lose the election in 2015 because it was clear. And I knew PDP would need to be rebuilt after losing the election,” he said.

Obasanjo advised the party to identify dedicated members who would remain committed “come rain, come shine,” arguing that such people were necessary for both the rebuilding of the PDP and the improvement of the country.

He also cautioned party leaders against judging people merely by outward appearances, noting that individuals could present themselves positively while harbouring different intentions.

According to him, when the party identifies members whose activities are harmful to its progress, it should be prepared to remove them, although those who genuinely learn from their mistakes could later be given another opportunity.

The former president stressed that his political relationships were guided by his commitment to what he called the “Nigeria project,” saying he would continue to advocate for a better country for the rest of his life.

Obasanjo also revisited his support for PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 election, saying that when compared with President Muhammadu Buhari, he considered Atiku the better option.

He acknowledged that no political leader was perfect and admitted that he also had shortcomings, but maintained that his commitment to Nigeria had never been driven by greed or selfish interest.

Earlier, Olafeso praised Obasanjo for what he described as his loyalty, courage and willingness to speak truth to those in power.

He said the delegation had visited the former president partly to celebrate his 82nd birthday and to acknowledge his role during the 2019 general elections.

Olafeso claimed that Obasanjo’s support contributed significantly to the PDP’s performance in the South-West and praised him for publicly expressing his views on the political situation in the country.

He also maintained the PDP’s position that Atiku performed strongly in the presidential election and expressed confidence that the party would continue to pursue its grievances through the appropriate processes.

Those present at the meeting included Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi; senators-elect Kola Balogun and Ayo Akinyelure; House of Representatives member-elect Ajibola Muraina; former Osun State governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Minister of State for Defence Olusola Obada; and the PDP’s 2018 Ekiti governorship candidate, Olusola Eleka.

Also in attendance were former Lagos State Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, former PDP Deputy National Chairman Shuaibu Oyedokun and former Ondo State governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, among other party leaders.