• Reconciles with Bode George

By SUNDAY ODIBASHI

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has continued to build stronger political forte across Nigeria in the preparations for the battle of the 2019 general elections, equipping himself with formidable social forces and statesmen for the war to unseat incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.  The former President has in the past months been involved in deep consultations in the South West and South East, mobilizing cultural leaders, extending his consultations to reconciliation with his old foes.

The former President, in past few weeks, reached out to the leaders of Afenifere, a pan Yoruba group in the south west. He has also been reaching out to his colleagues, retired Army Generals, across the length and breadth of Nigeria; leading to his meetings with former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, T.Y. Danjuma, General Mohammed Aliyu Gusau, among others.

More so, Dr. Obasanjo is sponsoring the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), which is motivated to build a Third Force for revolutionary change of Nigeria’s political landscape. The CNM subsequently fused into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to sponsor candidates in the 2019 general elections.

National Daily observed that Dr. Obasanjo was guest to former National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, on solidarity visit on the death of his son, last week. The former President had visited George in Lagos to condole with him over the death of his son.This visit paid off in the reconciliation of the former President and the PDP chieftain, who was Obasanjo’s field soldier during his eight years of President on the platform of the PDP but who encountered rift thereafter.

Meanwhile, Dr. Obasanjo, on Sunday hosted Bode George at a meeting that culminated into the reconciliation of the two political leaders in the South West.

Olabode George celebrating the reconciliation, declared: “We have put the past behind and Baba will remain my leader forever.

“What happened between us is devil and the devil has been shamed. It is a solid reunion and I am very happy about it.”

Olabode George had remarked that the visit to Abeokuta was to reciprocate Obasanjo’s solidarity visit to him on the death of his son.

Olabode George led a delegation of his loyalists who include: Chief Okanlawon Shoboyede, Elder Wole Oyelese, Dr. Remi Akitoye, Dr. Ademola Dominic, Mr. Emmanuel Da-silva, Hon. Dare Adeleke, Capt. Tunji Shelle, Mr. Abiodun Ejamai and Mr. Adriano.

National Daily further gathered that Dr. Obasanjo had a closed door meeting with George and his team in Abeokuta.

There are indications that Olabode George, now reinstated in the same political agenda with his leader, Obasanjo, may resume his fireworks against the ruling party in the build up to the 2019 heneral elections.