2015: Obasanjo Has Not Endorsed Nor Condemned Any Candidate, Says Fashawe

SAN FRANCISCO, October 13, (THEWILL) - A close ally of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Otunba Oyewole Fashawe, Monday declared that the retired General and former military Head of State has not endorsed nor condemned any candidate seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections contrary to insinuations from certain quarters.  Fashawe, who declared this in a statement , said rather, the elder statesman is working behind the scene to ensure a secure and rancour-free atmosphere for free and fair elections devoid of blood-letting and wanton destruction of lives and property.

Speaking from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital,   Fashawe who is the Asiwaju of Owo in Ondo State, disclosed that he was unequivocally talking on behalf of the former president whom he said 'sees the current gladiators in all the parties as his political children and associates; hence he would not endorse one over the other, no matter the amount of pressure from any quarter.'

According to Fashawe, 'Baba has not endorsed anyone and has not condemned anyone. A statesman of his stature and pedigree can only pray and work towards peace and progress in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. Those trying to exploit his friendliness to gain political advantage over other contenders are being unfair and doing so without Obasanjo's approval.'

Recently,  stalwarts and chieftains of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), have at different times visited the Ota-Abeokuta home of Obasanjo, to woo him and solicit his support for electoral success at the polls in 2015.

Fashawe, who was among the first league of well-wishers to welcome  Obasanjo back to the country on Sunday  from his recent trip abroad,  however said the clarification became necessary because media reports of the said closed-door political homage-paying last week have been divergent, varied and at best in the realms of speculation.