Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday restated that he is not a member of any political party.
This is just as the former president, and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, eulogised renowned economist, journalist, and politician, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu for his sense of loyalty and total commitment to the development of Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja at the 80th birthday ceremony of Ugochukwu, the first Executive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obasanjo who described himself as “a no-party statesman,” noted that throughout the period he worked with Ugochukwu, he could count on him to keep to his word on anything.
Obasanjo recalled that during the 1999 election when he (Obasanjo) competed against Alex Ekwueme, many people from the eastern region saw Ugochukwu as a traitor, while the Yoruba elements saw him as a spy.
He said Ugochukwu was never moved by the insinuations, and expressed his eternal gratitude to the celebrant, whom he described as a man without bitterness in his heart.
“There are four things I would just want to say. When we came together, it was during the campaign. I know a little bit about you by reputation. Two candidates were competing: Myself and Alex Ekwueme. And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy.
“The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard. Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.
“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remained with me, not 99.9 per cent loyal, but 100 per cent loyal throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you,” the former president said at the Thanksgiving service.
Obasanjo noted that after Ugochukwu contested and won the governorship election in Abia State, but was removed by the Appeal Court, he never took revenge on anybody.
“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter but for the party that we all built together.
“Even though now I’m a no-party statesman. I want to emphasise what the bishop said. At 80, what more do you want? Do you need it?
“All I will say is that you need to continue to serve humanity and serve God. And there’s no end to that. And the bishop said you should enjoy yourself. I will concur with that.”
Also speaking, Atiku, who attended the reception ceremony, also described Ugochukwu as a peacemaker who never took sides unnecessarily during his altercation with Obasanjo while in government.
“We only met during our administration around 1998-99 and till now, we have been in contact with each other. But I want to say that during our administration even when the president and I were having problems, Ugochukwu never took sides, rather he tried to be a conciliator and I want to say that all along I found him to be an extremely dedicated, passionate Nigerian.
Earlier, during the celebration which also saw the launching of two books: “Testaments and Testimonials” and “Galvanising Development in the Niger Delta”, edited by Tunde Olusunle, the celebrant thanked his friends, family, and associates for honouring him with their presence.
“Ten years ago, when I turned 70, I was the first of my siblings to reach the age of 70. It should have been a very big celebration, but it wasn’t because 2014 was a horrible year. I lost my two younger brothers in that year itself. My father, and then my uncle, and there was no need to celebrate,” he said.
Emmanuel Addeh
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