Images: PDP Must Retain Presidency 'Do-or-Die' - OBJ

LAGOS, March 01, (THEWILL) - Former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo today said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) must win the April Presidential election by all means, repeating a statement he made in 2007 that generated extensive public outcry.

Obasanjo drummed the ‘do-or-die’ election talk at the state-to-state Presidential campaign of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Lagos where the former President stated categorically that he would not concede to an election, which the PDP would participate in, and not win.

The former President said; “For us to contest and not be elected, Obasanjo will never accept that. Obasanjo will not allow (PDP) to vote and not win.

“In this venue, I campaigned and won in 1999. That is a good history. In this same venue, President Yar’Adua, your predecessor campaigned four years ago and won. That is another good history. All that you need from me, President is to congratulate you,” Obasanjo further stated.

Also at the rally, Speaker of the House of Representative, Dimeji Bankole called on the God to “remove those that are disturbing us” in an apparent reference to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Buttressing a campaign statement made by the Minister of Finance, Jonathan in his speech pledged to expand the Oshodi-Airport road to an eight-lane highway.

Jonathan said: “I visit Lagos more than any other state because I know we have to work with Lagos State. To fix the Nigerian economy, we must know what is happening in Lagos State if the dream for the year 2020 must be achieved.”

Jonathan called on Lagosians to vote for the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate for the state; Babatunde Dosumu, who recently had a court ruling served on him, ordering the electoral body not to identify him as the party’s candidate.

The president explained that the federal government and the Lagos State government must “work together to improve the welfare of the people of the state.”

Jonathan said: “We cannot stay in Abuja and improve Lagos, we need an anchorman in Lagos to change Lagos and this anchor is Dosunmu and his running mate.”

Lagos, the nation’s economic capital has been in the control of the opposition party Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) since 1999 and the ruling PDP has never hidden its desire in taking it over.

L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Jonathan and kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki.

Other speakers at the campaign rally include Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki who said, “the PDP loves Lagos and we want Lagos State to join the PDP family.”

Acting chairperson of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Bello stated, “We love Lagos more than we love Abuja. There are so many things we want to deliver for this state but for the resistance of your government.”

He alleged that since 1999, Lagos had had traders and businessmen as governors of the state adding that “because of the in-experience of the administration, you have not gotten the fair share of the federal might. They only collect a percentage of their share and that is why they tax and tax and tax you.”

Also present at the rally were the governors of Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Imo, Kogi, Nassarawa and the deputy governor of Taraba State. The recently released ex-convict, Chief Olabode George was also in attendance.

L-R: President Jonathan, Lagos PDP Guber candidate Adegboyega Dosunmu, PDP Acting National Chairman Haliru Bello Mohammed and House Speaker Dimeji Bankole.

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (2nd from left) during a vist to his palace by the PDP.

R-L: President Jonathan, VP Sambo, former President Obasanjo, PDP South West Chairman Tajudeen Oladipo and Chief Tony Anenih.