Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan met today, Wednesday, 27 August, 2014 in Abuja in other to discuss security matters in the country.
P.M NEWS reports that President Jonathan confirmed the meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan with journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, after arriving from the federal capital on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Obasanjo, his discussion with the President Jonathan was purely on security matters.
The meeting came in the wake of Obasanjo’s commendation of the joint efforts by both the Federal and Lagos State governments in checking the spread of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD in the country and also a jab by Obasanjo against Jonathan’s economic policies, which he likened to that of late Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha.
“Yes, I can confirm that I met with Mr. President on his invitation. In fact, he had wanted to come down to Abeokuta, but as a sign of respect to the Office of the President, I had to go. We had discussion on the country’s security issues and that is all,” Obasanjo said without speaking on the specifics.
President Jonathan, left, Senate President, David Mark, and President Obasanjo
While appreciating the invitation of Mr. President, Obasanjo said he would continue to make himself available on national issues in the interest of peace and progress of the country.
Commenting on the Eggon/Fulani crisis in Nassarawa State, the former President called on the government of Benue and Nasarawa States to ensure that peace is restored to the warring communities.
He said, both the Eggon’s, who are the farmers and the Fulani’s,who are the herders, must understand themselves over the differences.
“There is no way, such will not happen, but the two state governments should come up with lasting solutions. The farmers would want their crops to be protected, while the cattle men will also want their cattles to feed. So, the government should fashion out peaceful means to end the crisis,” Obasanjo advised.
What is however, unclear is whether Jonathan has now given the former President the go ahead to talk with the Boko Haram contacts he has identified.
Obasanjo has for years advocated the use of force alongside peaceful negotiation as a panacea for tackling the insurgency in the North.
In May, Mr. Obasanjo commenced efforts to reach out to the Boko Haram sect, in a series of attempts at negotiating with the sect to free the over 250 school girls it abducted in April from their dormitories in Chibok, Borno State.
As at the time of compiling this report, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, has not commented on the meeting.