Like the biblical prodigal son and his father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Thursday in Abeokuta that he has forgiven his former vice president Alhaji Abubakar Atiku after the latter sincerely apologized and showed remorse.
Obasanjo who had hitherto sworn that Atiku would become Nigeria’s president over his dead body made a U-turn describing the PDP flagbearer as ‘president-to-be’ and finally accepted to work with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2019 general election.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Obasanjo said Atiku will become the next Nigerian president. He declared that the former VP has the capacity to perform better than incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari.
Obasanjo said after the meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex that he believes Atiku has a contrite heart and has shown absolute remorse.
Obasanjo said: “From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences as necessary and as desirable.”
Obasanjo added that among all the presidential candidates in the 2019 general election, Atiku has the widest and greatest exposure and he understands the economy even better than the incumbent president.
An elated Atiku told journalists at the Rock City that today is “the happiest day of my life.”
Those present at the press conference include the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Bode George, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Liyel Imoke, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and Otunba Oyewole Fasawe. Others are Bishop of the Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo, Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi and Father Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.