Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday visited Remi Tinubu, the wife of the President, in Lagos.This visit coincided with the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Busola Kukoyi, a media aide to the First Lady, confirmed the purpose of Obasanjo’s visit, stating that he came to extend his greetings for the Sallah festivities.
Kukoyi detailed the event in a social media post, saying, “Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu after receiving the Former President who came felicitating on the Sallah Celebration on Monday 17th June.” This message was shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The political dynamics leading up to the 2023 presidential election add an interesting backdrop to this visit. In the election, Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos and husband to Remi Tinubu, emerged victorious. However, in the lead-up to the election, Obasanjo had publicly endorsed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, rather than Tinubu. Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi was significant given his influential status in Nigerian politics and his history of leadership.
Explaining his endorsement, Obasanjo remarked, “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline, and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.” This endorsement highlighted Obi’s attributes, which Obasanjo believed made him the best candidate for the presidency at that time.
Despite Obasanjo’s endorsement, Tinubu did visit him at his Abeokuta residence during his campaign. However, Obasanjo did not reciprocate with an endorsement for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. Ultimately, Bola Tinubu won the election, defeating both Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Tinubu was officially inaugurated as President on May 29, 2023.
Since Tinubu’s inauguration, Obasanjo has noticeably been absent from several state functions, which were attended by other past Presidents and Heads of State. This absence has been noted given Obasanjo’s prominent role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Obasanjo’s political journey has been marked by significant milestones. He first served as Head of State from 1976 to 1979. After a period of imprisonment, he returned to the political arena and was elected President from 1999 to 2007 under the PDP banner. His extensive experience and his involvement in the country’s governance during critical periods have made him a pivotal figure in Nigeria.
The visit to Remi Tinubu during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration is a notable event, especially in light of the recent election and the historical interactions between the Tinubu and Obasanjo political camps. It underscores the complex and often personal nature of political relationships in Nigeria, where former rivals can come together to celebrate important cultural and religious occasions. The public appearance of Obasanjo with the First Lady during such a significant festival also hints at possible reconciliatory gestures or at least a momentary suspension of political differences in favor of communal harmony and celebration.
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