A former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed why he picked late ex-President, Musa Yar’Adua as his successor despite knowing he was ill.
He said he took the decision because medical advice showed that Yar’Adua, who had a kidney transplant, was fit to act as President.
Former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili were among those who contested for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket.
Obasanjo, however, settled for Yar’Adua, who died in office on May 5, 2010.
The ex-president in an interview with TheCable denied allegations he deliberately put up weak candidates for selfish interests.
He said, “I set up a committee headed by Dr. Olusegun Agagu, of blessed memory, to search for a successor. They considered many names and did an extensive assessment of all of them. They made their recommendation. Umaru was top on the list.
“Their biggest argument in his favour was that he had integrity and would not steal. The issues concerning his health were raised and I gave his medical reports to an expert for an opinion. Umaru’s name was redacted so that the expert would not know who it was and why I was seeking his opinion.
“After assessing the reports, he said the patient appeared to have done a kidney transplant and if that was the case, there was nothing to worry about and he would be as healthy as any other person. That was it. All insinuations that I knew he was going to die and that was why I supported him to be president were false. This is the true story I have told you.”
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
Special Report: Disquiet As Nigeria’s Inspector-General Egbetokun Appoints Notorious Rights Abuser, DCP Akin Fakorede To Head IGP
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Some inquiries into his activities including panels that investigated police brutality in Nigeria also indicted Fakorede, and even recommended his sacking or demotion. The recent appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Akin Fakorede by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to head the IGP Monitoring Unit has raised concerns due to…
Banditry: Desperate Politicians Envious of Tinubu, Aiding Banditry In North West – Group
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas ABUJA – Some supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the north, have said the incessant banditry attacks in the north west region could be traced to some “desperate politicians” who are bent on frustrating the administration of the President. Coming under the aegis of Asiwaju Social Network (ASoN), North West Zone, the…
Badenoch stands by Nigeria comments after criticism; she could ‘remove’ the Kemi from her name – VP Shettima
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Kemi Badenoch has stood by her past comments about Nigeria, after the vice-president of the West African country accused her of denigrating it. The Conservative Party leader, who was born in the UK but mostly raised in Nigeria, has repeatedly described growing up in fear and insecurity in a country plagued by…
