Former Head of State and President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has denied belonging to any political party, describing himself as “a no-party statesman”.
Obasanjo who made the clarification on Saturday during a thanksgiving service to mark the 80th birthday of former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Abuja, said he ceased to be a card carrying member of any political party years ago but prefers to play the role of a statesman as well as serving humanity.
While delivering his speech, the former President hailed the celebrant for being a loyal and supportive person during his 1999 election campaigns despite the fact that the late Chief Alex Ekwueme, an Igbo man also contested for the same position in the Peoples Democratic Part, (PDP).
“When we came together, it was during the campaign. I’ve known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in PDP, myself and Alex Ekwueme,” OBJ said.
“And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard.
“Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.
“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remain with me. Not 99.9% loyal, but 100% loyal. Throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you.
“When you went in, as the bishop said, to contest the election, and they overturned the election, you didn’t take revenge on anybody. You were not bitter. You didn’t even move out of the party. You remained.
“Some people would have moved out of their party. And you know some who are in our party, close to us, who did that.
“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter, but for the party that we all built together.
“Even though now I’m a no-party statesman, I want to emphasise what the bishop said. At 80, what more do you want? Do you need it?
“All I will say is that you need to continue to serve humanity and serve God. And there’s no end to that. And the bishop said you should enjoy yourself. I will concur with that.
“And finally, you must live and continue to live a life of love. Love for your family. Love for friends and foes. Love for your community. Love for your state. Love for your country. Love for humanity. And love for God,” he added.
