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A shocking re-alignment of political forces took place today as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited former President Obasanjo at home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Atiku and Obasanjo have been archenemies ever since the former vice president opposed, and helped frustrate, Obasanjo’s bid to run for a third term in office. In reprisal, Obasanjo thwarted Atiku’s dream to run for the presidency on the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A source familiar with the meeting, which took place at the former president’s hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, said it was part of a rapprochement by the two men who now want to work together to decide what happens in the event of the death or permanent incapacitation of “President” Umaru Yar’Adua. Inside sources within Abuja have revealed that Yar’Adua’s health is worsening. He has lost a lot of weight and close aides told us that he finds it increasingly difficult to handle the simple tasks of his job.
Obasanjo and Atiku declined to disclose the details of their meeting to reporters, whose questions they parried. But a source familiar with the discussion told SaharaReporters that Obasanjo stated, “When things are not happening the way they should, we have to sit down as stakeholders to review the situation.”
Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State accompanied the former vice president to Obasanjo's residence.
Saharareporters had earlier reported that Atiku was leaning towards returning to the PDP fold.
Our source added that the Abeokuta meeting signaled the beginning of serious political re-alignments on the heels of growing rumors that Yar'adua's health crises and “acts of betrayal toward Obasanjo” had forced the former president to begin wider consultations to “right the wrongs he committed against Nigerians by imposing Yar'adua on the nation.” The source, who is close to Obasanjo, said the former president was miffed that former Governor James Ibori and his group had supplanted his camp in terms of closeness to Yar’Adua. He also said Obasanjo felt betrayed that Yar’Adua did not put his foot down to stop members of the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives who have unearthed some of the massive acts of corruption during Obasanjo’s eight-year presidency.
Obasanjo is scheduled to leave Nigeria tomorrow for Kenya to continue his peace mission in the Congo
Meanwhile, two Aso Rock officials independently told SaharaReporters that Yar'Adua plans to leave Nigeria on Monday for an extended medical leave that may take him to the US. Before traveling for medical treatment, Yar’Adua is billed to attend his daughter's wedding to Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State on Saturday January 24 2009 in Katsina. “If the plan [for his medical trip] doesn’t happen, it may be because he is too weak,” said one source. He added that his German doctors had told Yar’Adua there was little they could do for him, but he is determined to seek additional medical help, possibly in the U.S.
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