Drama As Jonathan Visits Obasanjo's Village

There was mild drama in the Ibogun hometown of former
President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ogun state, on Friday, when
ex-President Goodluck Jonathan came visiting.
The immediate past president arrived Ibogun to a warm
reception by members of the community. The people sang,
danced, and lined up the streets to welcome the august
visitor.
Accompanied by Olagunsonye Oyinlola, former governor of
Osun state, and some of his former aides, Jonathan waved
back at the crowd.
He headed to the residence of his estranged benefactor, but
known for his unpredictable lifestyle, Obasanjo acted as if he
was not expecting him.
The elder statesman continued enjoying a local game he was
playing with a friend until Jonathan sat nearby.
After exchanging pleasantries, both men went into a private
meeting.
At the end of the meeting, Obasanjo thanked Jonathan for
finding time to visit him, joking that the trip afforded Jonathan
the opportunity to relax like he had never done since he left
office.
“I want to thank you very sincerely for taking it upon yourself
to pay us a visit at this point in time and at this location,”
Obasanjo said.
“Since you left office, you hardly have time to sit down and
relax like you have been able to do today and I hope and pray
for more such relaxed situation where we can reminiscence
situations of the past that we have been through in this
country, and also look at what the future portends.
“When leaders come, they have little or no experience, when
they have to go is when they have really amassed a lot of
experience, where they have wisdom, they are experienced to
be in high demand, those people like you and me who have
the grace of God to bow out gracefully, if there is no what I
call constitutional office, we have residual responsibilities for
Nigeria.”
Obasanjo said he believed that both of them were in position
to offer the world their experiences when there is need to do
so.
He told Jonathan that they needed to contribute their own
quota to the development of the world.
“I believe that not only Nigeria, and Africa and indeed the
world will continue to tap into our experiences, our wisdom
and I hope and pray that when the call is made to you, you
will be more than ready to put your experience into the service
of this country, Africa and humanity in general,” he said.
“I have said to you before and I will say again that there are
plenty of opportunities out there, within the country, within
West Africa, within African and indeed in the larger world
where people will want you to make contributions.
“I believe that you are resting now and when you have fully
rested and you will be hearing from me because I have had
the opportunity to have gone around the world.
“My regards to everybody at home, especially your wife,
please tell her that my wife sends her regards and I hope
sooner or later we will be in your part of the world to enjoy
the atmosphere together.”
Jonathan said he had it in mind to visit Obasanjo in the
company of Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state,
but that the visit did not work out.
He expressed delight meeting Obasanjo, and thanked him for
the hospitality.
Jonathan’s relationship with his benefactor went sour after
Obasanjo wrote an open letter to him in 2013. The situation
got worse when the elder statesman refused to endorse the
re-election bid of the Ijaw leader.
Obasanjo was very critical of Jonathan in the electioneering
period. He accused Jonathan of plotting to win the election by
hook or crook.

-The Cable