Ignore Obasanjo at your own peril, Jonathan tells Atiku

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan has advised Atiku Abubakar to try contesting under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said Atiku cannot get the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

There are strong indications that the former vice president would contest in the 2019 presidential election although this has not been made official yet.

In an interview published on This Day, Jonathan said Atiku would perform well on the ticket of the PDP.

He also advised him to reach out to former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo saying he has also learnt his lessons.

He said: “He can’t get the APC ticket. If Atiku gets our party ticket, he would compete well. He’s always a passionate politician. But he would have to reach out to our boss, Baba OBJ, the boss of all bosses. We’ve all learnt at different times that you ignore OBJ at your own peril. OBJ has the magic wand, respected at home and abroad…”

He also spoke about the issue of running mate saying the PDP would do better picking a candidate from the south east or south south.

He said: “Strategically, since Professor Osinbajo is already running with Buhari, the South South and South East, remain the most fertile grounds. And there are many brilliant people there waiting for the chance. The Governors control some of the richest states in Nigeria except Lagos…”

Naija News had earlier reported that Jonathan laid to rest speculation that he might contest in the 2019 presidential election despite pressure on him to do so.

Jonathan expressed happiness that he left power in 2015 without bloodshed or violence.

He said: “I have had the rare opportunity of leading our country at very critical moments and did my best. I’ve left the rest to posterity to judge.”