Obasanjo: I didn’t run after power, but power chased me

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken about his ascension to Presidency, declaring that he did not run after power but power ran after him.

Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta at the weekend while responding to some issues raised during a symposium, organised by the national leadership of the Kegites Club of Nigeria through the Unity in Diversity Forum.

The lecture, which was held at the auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Complex, was part of activities to celebrate the 85th birthday of the former president.

Obasanjo’s statement was triggered by a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who eulogised the former president as someone who at no time ran after power.

Farounbi, in the lecture, pointedly said that Obasanjo rejected the call for him to become the Head of State in 1976, after the coup that claimed the lives of the General Murtala Muhammed and some other military officers.

Farounbi said: ” He became the Military Head of State, very much against his wish… I also know that he did everything possible to reject becoming the candidate of PDP and ultimately the president in 1999 elections.

“I can say authoritatively because I was involved. He had no interest in pursuing power, but power was interested in pursuing him because of the much-needed cultural values inherent in him.

“He was like David in the Bible. He did not want to be a king, but he had the values of a king. He has demonstrated bravery by killing a bear and lion with bear hands….”

Obasanjo to PDP leaders: I’m done with partisan politics

Responding to the lecture, Obasanjo, who was elated by the submissions of the lecturer, confirmed the position of Farounbi.

He said: “At one time you (referring to Farounbi) mentioned I was reluctant to be in political power as you said. I was trained as a soldier. One of my trainings is that soldiering and politics don’t go together and I stuck to that.

“But as you rightly said while I stuck to separation between soldiering and politics, power started chasing me and I ran, and I ran and I ran until I could not run out of the reach of power.

“I believed that without been immodest, the fact that I was not looking for power, power was looking for me make a drought of business.”

Speaking on the topic of the lecture, Obasanjo said that his allegiance is for Africa and Nigeria, as he would not be part of anything outside them.

He affirmed that the sterling values and virtue in the continent and the country, made him a Pan-Africanist and Nigeria to the core.

The Star