Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, has asserted that no one can intimidate him over his choice of a presidential candidate since he had bled his blood and served time in prison.
The former president disclosed this at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Secretariat in Enugu State. Obasanjo had visited the Secretariat in the company of Afenifere’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the head of Afenifere and Obi to pay condolence over the death of First Republic Aviation Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi.

However, Obasanjo said: “I have shed my blood for this country. I have gone to prison for this country. “I gave my life to protect this nation. I served my country by serving time in prison. So, what are you going to frighten or threaten me with? The only thing that my senior brother (Adebanjo) hasn’t done is that he hasn’t shed his blood but he has gone to prison but we will leave that aside.
The problem we have in our hands in Nigeria is not ethnic. It is national. And for me, the most important thing in a leader is character.
If I put my hand on someone, it means that comparing with the other, I see that there is a merit that will be of benefit to Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s issue is more national than ethnic. The former president bemoaned the lack of a leader with the proper kind of character in Nigeria.

“In Nigeria, the issue at hand is not an ethnic one. The country. And character is, in my opinion, the most crucial quality in a leader.
If I place my hand on someone, it indicates that in contrast to the other, I sense that there is a merit that will be advantageous to Nigeria,” he remarked.

Though Obasanjo has not formally endorsed any presidential candidate for the February 2023 election, observers suggest that Obasanjo has favoured Obi to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Moreso, when
in a viral video monitored by Aiyekooto Reporters the former president was seen calling up Obi – who was sitting at table nine – and leading him to table one. The move was applauded by the audience.

As he stepped forward to pick the former Anambra State governor from his former seat, Obasanjo said, “In the presence of Nigerians”.

After leading Obi to table one, he declared, “My job is done”. And the Ebora Owu as popularly called step out from the event.