By Aaron Ossai
As campaigns for the 2023 general election continue to gather momentum, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Nigeria has appealed to the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to intervene in the country’s political situation in order to ensure a seamless transition come 2023.
The Opposition Coalition CUPP spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere made this appeal shortly after visiting the former President at his Penthouse residence inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
In a statement by Kehinde Akinyemi, the Special Assistant on Media to Obasanjo, Ugochinyere said the visit had become important in order to brief “the Father of Nigeria” on the situation, particularly as it relates to his recent findings on alleged attempt by the ruling party to tamper with the electoral processes.
He said that it has been his wish to visit the former President, “and report the political situation, particularly the bursted plan to rig the election by the ruling party and subsequently throw the country into chaos.”
“So I have come to see him and appeal that he should not give up on Nigeria, that he should continue not to give up on Nigeria, just as he is doing for Africa.
“To ensure that there is peaceful transition through his Advocacy before and after 2023. Also to press it on the government that the forthcoming elections must be peaceful, free, fair and credible”, he said.
Ugochinyere added that he came “to let him know that he will be running in the election and seek his fatherly blessings, but most importantly to appreciate him for his roles in ensuring peace in Africa.”
“In the last few days, Baba has been in Ethiopia and in-between went to Congo to give investment drive, went again to complete his peace mission in South Africa, so we are asking him to replicate this in Nigeria.
“Baba must pay serious attention to Nigeria as we march towards 2023 to ensure that democracy and peaceful transfer of power is achieved”, the statement read.
The CUPP spokesman hinted that Obasanjo’s response lifted his spirit for the country saying, “Baba listened carefully and seriously to my epistle and one after the other, he reacted to all my requests. The summary is that he promised to intervene in all the sectors needed to have a peaceful transition come 2023.”
On his perception of the world elder stateman, Ugochinyere said he saw a man that was full of energy and willingness to get things done.
“I saw a man that is very strong and ready to hit the road again. While I was with him, he kept receiving calls, locally and internationally, seeking for one assistance and another and that did marvell me.
“I saw a man that is energetic making me to conclude that if he’s the man on the saddle of Nigeria today, our economic situation would not have been where it is. He still has the mental stability and ability to work unlike those who had come after him.
“And with all that I saw, it emboldened me to once again say that Baba should not forget Nigeria and he should continue to intervene and he confirmed that he would continue to intervene in order to keep Nigeria one”, he added.
