PDP shops for Obasanjo’s replacement in S-West

LAGOS — Less than 24 hours after former President Olusegun Obasanjo resigned his position as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the leadership caucus of the party has started brainstorming on who could suitably fit into the shoes of the ex-President.

This is just as Vice National Chairman, South-West, Dr Segun Oni, Wednesday led members of the party  in the region to Obasanjo’s home at Hiltop Estate in Abeokuta to hold a secret meeting with  him.

File photo: From Left, President Jonathan, Ag Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Former President and Bot Chairman, Chief Obasanjo and Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Ogiadomhe at the PDP convention

Top sources within the party said in Abuja that the sudden resignation of Obasanjo shocked the party.

According to the sources, “the leadership has, however, started thinking on possible replacement.

One of the sources mentioned a possible replacement as former chair of the Senate Committee on Navy, Dr Bode Olajumoke; former National Vice  Chairman of the party, Shuiab Oyedokun; leader of the Accord Party, Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja and another former National Vice Chairman, Chief Olabode George.

It was learnt that following the resignation of the former President, members of the National Working Committee of the party had opened discussion on a possible replacement.

Support for Anenih

Meanwhile, supporters of former Minister of Works, Chief Anthony Anenih, have started moves to get him either elected or appointed into the position.

Sources told Vanguard that Anenih’s supporters met in Lagos, Tuesday night, to map out strategies to ensure he emerges as the next PDP BoT chairman based on their belief that Anenih was the only person who could ensure cohesion and discipline in the party.

This is even as a PDP stalwart and chairman of Declon Oil and Gas Limited, Marcel Imoisili, has asked stakeholders in the party to do everything within their power to ensure that Anenih returns as the chairman of the party’s BoT.

However, in a statement in Lagos, yesterday,  Imoisili, said: ‘’As events are gradually unfolding and our nascent democracy moving forward, it is pertinent to call on the new Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Tukur, the party’s National Working Committee, NWC,  and National Executive Committee, NEC, to re-address the issue of chairmanship of the BoT which was hitherto restricted to former heads of state.”

‘’As it is now, the ‘cap’ of BOT chairmanship should not be restricted to a few citizens in the largest party of Africa. The party has very intelligent loyalists who can run for the office of the BOT Chairman.

Chief Tony Anenih is one. ‘When Chief Anenih was BOT Chairman, the party reached its height of glory and nothing still compares till date.

‘’It is expedient that he should be allowed to complete his tenure as Chairman of PDP BOT because it (tenure) was cut short. I think naturally, justice has come to roost in the party, with the retirement

of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the exalted office.’’

The meeting which the South West leaders of the party had with Obasanjo lasted for several hours

Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Oni  who did not disclose the content of the secret meeting held with Obasanjo, hinted that, their coming was to familiarise with  the out-going BoT

Chairman.

While describing the action of Obasanjo on his resignation, the newly elected  National Vice-Chairman said “ Baba is always a blazing trail. His resignation is another trail. You don’t find too many people all

over the world who will easily relinquish a position of leadership.

“Baba said he is going to bow out as chairman, Board of Trustees, but he will remain in the BOT. Statutorily, he’s a member of the BOT for life. You don’t find many people who are that humble; who would step down from such a height and now allow himself to be led by others.

“I think this generation and indeed the whole of this continent needs to learn a lesson from that. A lot of people would rather die than become ex. But here is Baba, there is no pressure of any kind but Baba

said this is the golden time for him to leave so that he would now be able to mentor whoever takes over from him.

“He had mentored who took over from him as president and the one who took over from the president that took over from him. Now he is going to mentor whoever takes over from him as BOT chairman. That’s a lesson we all have to learn.

“You know that the position is not for children; the position of shepherd is not meant for kids. God forbid, if things go awry, they are the ones we will take matters to. So, it is not a position we’ll

ask people to paste campaign posters, no.

“ It’s the wisdom of elders and the top echelon, starting from the president and leaders of the party and so on; if they meet and decide, we’ll know who they’ll pick as successor. It is not a position for

which election is used to determine”,Oni said.

He however expressed optimism on the returmn of foermer Governor of Oyo state,Rashidi Ladoja into PDP ,saying they were still talking to him .

Among those that attended the meeting were Chairman elders consultative council in Lagos, Yomi Fini, former Minister of Works Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Deputy Governor of Oyo state,Taofik Arapaja.