The shock or sweetness of the sudden u-turn is not just because they fought — and, boy, did it last — but because just two months ago, Obasanjo was still telling reporters he could never support Atiku for "anything".
There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, right? You knew it, we knew it.
Not a bad idea, still, to get a reminder every now and then; and it's hard to imagine that such reminders can ever be spicier than listening to Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, endorse his deputy-turned-sworn-enemy, Atiku ABubakar.
The shock or sweetness of the sudden u-turn is not just because they fought — and, boy, did it last — but because just two months ago, Obasanjo was still telling reporters he could never support Atiku for "anything".
It was on August 4, 2018, days after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka said Obasanjo knelt down for Atiku in a desperate bid to secure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2003 poll — a humbling moment for which Obasanjo remained bent on punishing his former deputy.[story_link align="left"]63851[/story_link]
When the matter was put to him, Obasanjo would claim that his opposition to Atiku’s perennial political ambition was simply down to his deep understanding of the former Adamawa State Governor-Elect.
“How can I be on the same side with Atiku? To do what?” Obasanjo had asked.
“If I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes. But once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support.
“I do not have personal grudges with anyone. If you do not do well for Nigeria, you do not do well for all of us.[story_link align="left"]63855[/story_link]
“It is not a question of working with or not working with an individual,” he said. “If you are working for the good of Nigeria, I am working with you. If you are not working for the good of Nigeria it does not matter who you are I am not working with you.”
Well, it took just nine weeks for everything Obasanjo said back then to end up in the trash can.
Obasanjo and Atiku are now "on the same side". Good news — because, as Obasanjo said, he, "as a Christian", should learn to be forgiving.
There's just one problem, though: Will God forgive Obasanjo, now that he is with Atiku?