Obasanjo might have taken the decision to quit the PDP in order to save his face and escape embarrassment from the PDP through suspension or outright dismissal from the party. He rushed to quit before the decision to suspend or expel him is taken by his party. The facts as stated below attest to this assertion.
For his recent anti-party activities and verbal assaults against Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan who is also the National leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Presidency and the PDP are contemplating launching a media campaign against former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
This was decided as an alternative to expose his weak side and possibly shut him up as the part thinks suspended Obasanjo despite his stray activities is not an option, considering the influence Obasanjo wields.
However, leading figures in PDP, including governors, BOT members and those in the National Working Committee (NWC), felt slighted by Obasanjo’s comments at a briefing, and pushed for his suspension from the party.
But Jonathan who does not wants the parties attention to be diverted away from current issues owing to the forthcoming election is yet to yield to the demand, opting rather for the media campaign.
A source told the Nation that: “From the President to party leaders, we were all sad by Obasanjo’s attacks against the person of the President who had shown him much respect.
“We all concluded that what the ex-President did in an election year amounted to anti-party activities.
“Some of our leaders have started demanding for Obasanjo’s suspension from the party. They said there was no point having Obasanjo in PDP to give him more leverage to destroy the party.
“Worse still, these angry leaders said Obasanjo had written off his party by openly canvassing for the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
A member of the NWC said Obasanjo’s activities could attract suspension – in line with Article 57(3) of the PDP Constitution 2012(as amended).
The NWC member said: “No matter the situation, you do not discredit and abandon your party for another. Obasanjo cannot be a bona fide member of PDP and be attacking the party’s presidential candidate.
“The preponderance of opinion is that we should damn the consequences by suspending him from the party. But some are saying we should ignore him.
“To most PDP members, we should ask him to go because he has even reduced his involvement in PDP to ward activities. Do not forget, he was not a founding member of the PDP.
“If Obasanjo’s case comes to NWC, we will look at it on merit and treat as such.”
“Article 57 (3) of the party’s constitution, 2012(as amended) says, “The Working Committee, at any level of the party, and the executive committee (at the Ward Level) may, after preliminary hearings, suspend a member from the party for a period not exceeding one month, during which period the member so suspended shall lose his right to contest any election, and shall be referred to the appropriate disciplinary committee.”
“Article 57 (4) specifically states that “where an allegation is made against a member of the party, the disciplinary committee shall inform the member in writing of the allegations made against him or her.”
A Presidency source said: “The President is also unhappy with Obasanjo. This was why he also came hard on the former President in a statement on Saturday night.
“Jonathan has the choice to allow the issue to run its course in the media the way it is now or allow the party to exercise its discretion since no one is above PDP.
“Obasanjo’s case is certainly being looked into by the party.
“The President is a bit cautious on the proposal for Obasanjo’s suspension because it might distract the party’s attention. He also does not want to be seen as betraying his benefactor.”