Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says he has forgiven his former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, wholeheartedly, describing him as “president-to-be.”
Obasanjo said this while addressing journalists after the closed -door meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate.
The meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex.
Also at the meeting were the Bishop of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), David Oyedepo; Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi; and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah.
They were in the meeting with Atiku and Obasanjo.
Obasanjo said that, based on what transpired at the meeting, he believed that Atiku now has “a contrite heart” and has shown remorse.
Obasanjo said of Atiku: “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 and make amends as necessary and as desirable.”
“Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on a daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you,” Obasanjo added.
The ex-president noted that among all the presidential aspirants in the PDP, Atiku has the widest and greatest exposure, adding that he (Atiku) understood the economy better than the incumbent president.
The former president also said the PDP presidential candidate was not rigid and more accessible with links almost across the country.
“For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through.
“From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.
“You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs. You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways. As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, “You are a wazobia man.” And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism.”
Speaking earlier, Atiku described today “as the happiest day of my life.”
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