The meeting, attended by leaders of the People’s Democratic Party in the state, focused on Ogun’s future and the drive for effective, accountable governance.
In remarks to the visiting delegation, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said he has stepped back from active partisan competition, while insisting he remains committed to the welfare and advancement of Nigerians.
Obasanjo also advised the party’s candidate, Dapo Adebutu, to approach his governorship bid with care and restraint, arguing that political leadership should be grounded in public service rather than private ambition.
Quick facts
- Obasanjo met with PDP leaders in the state to discuss Ogun’s future and good governance.
- He said he has set party politics aside but remains invested in Nigerians’ welfare and progress.
- He urged Adebutu to pursue his governorship ambition with wisdom and humility and to align plans with God’s purpose.
- Obasanjo said Nigeria has struggled to manage its resources well despite having abundant blessings.
- Adebutu later said the meeting’s aim was to seek Obasanjo’s fatherly blessing and guidance.
Turning to the country’s economic difficulties, Obasanjo said Nigeria has not handled its resources appropriately, despite the scale of its wealth and opportunities. He framed the issue as a failure of management rather than a lack of endowment.
He told the delegation that, at this point in his life, he has moved away from party politics, noting that the objectives of party competition do not always match the broader goal of improving citizens’ wellbeing. He added that his interest in the welfare, wellbeing, and progress of Nigerians will not change.
Obasanjo’s counsel to the PDP candidate was also anchored in faith: he urged Adebutu to ensure that his policy direction and vision for Ogun align with God’s purpose. He encouraged him to pursue his goals with wisdom and humility, adding that it is ultimately God who guides people’s paths.
The former president argued that Nigeria is blessed with large African nations, extensive land, and abundant natural resources. Yet, he said, those advantages have not been leveraged as they should be.
He said the responsibility falls on elders to offer guidance, protect cultural traditions, and take concrete actions that will help future generations. He also urged a focus on using what has been entrusted to the nation in ways that benefit ordinary people.
Obasanjo described himself as a “village man” and said he is proud of his roots, adding that those values have remained with him throughout his life. He presented that personal grounding as part of the perspective he continues to bring to public affairs.
Adebutu’s account after the meeting
After the meeting, Adebutu spoke to journalists and described Obasanjo as a father figure, a mentor, and a statesman whose advice he said remains valuable. He characterised the interaction as part of seeking guidance ahead of the political contest.
Adebutu said the central purpose of the visit was to obtain the former President’s fatherly blessing. He also described the delegation’s visit as an opportunity to spend meaningful time with a mentor and with what he called the father of modern Nigeria, thanking him for contributions and seeking encouragement for a path he said would deliver better governance for the state.
He argued that there was no more suitable person to be briefed about Ogun’s future than someone who he said played a decisive role in the state’s creation. Adebutu said the group received both blessings and wise counsel from Obasanjo, and that, with that encouragement, they intend to press forward for the benefit of the people.
- Newer
- Older
