Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday openly declared his support for the re-election of the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
The former president explained that in spite of being in a different political party with the governor, his choice of Amosun was based on merit and not that of any political party.
In a swift reaction to the support for Amosun, the Ogun State Chapter of the party called on its National Working Committee to sanction Obasanjo for anti-party activities.
Obasanjo who spoke in his Abeokuta Hiltop residence while receiving Igbo leaders from Ogun and Lagos States declared his intention to vote for the return of Amosun in next month general election despite being in the PDP.
Obasanjo said: “In 2011, we were not together; though we were together before and I campaigned against him. But, see what he has been able to do in the last three and half years in the state. I cannot sacrifice performance for party.”
Obasanjo subsequently sought the support of the South-east indigenes residents in Ogun State for Amosun in the February 28 governorship election.
Obasanjo added: “I never dream of having a bridge on dry land in Ogun State in my life time. Yes, we have Ogun River, where there is a bridge, but, on a dry land. Go to Ijebu, Sagamu and Ota. I am seeing bridges, not even one or two.
“This is a development that some of us in our 60s, 70s even 50s would have thought would be a mirage during our life time. Apart from this, it will bring development that future governments shall be major beneficiaries.
“So, my people, I am not talking about other elections. I have come to tell you that in order to appreciate what this personality has been able to do in the last three and half years, let us give him our votes.”
Obasanjo however emphasized that if the situation changes, after the governor must have been re-elected, he should be held responsible.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State PDP in a statement said: “We think the appropriate organs of the party (NWC) will have the courage to sanction him (Obasanjo) for anti-party activities.
“We in the Ogun State PDP are not surprised at his latest action but it really does not amount to much. For us, it means the beginning of APC’s failure. What did his endorsement of Tunji Olurin translate into in 2011 elections?