According to Nigerian Tribune, the closed door meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, held at the latter’s Hilltop Mansion in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, was largely meant to straighten issues, sources have said.
It was gathered that the meeting was to assure the former president that Jonathan had nothing against him, contrary to insinuation in some quarters around the former leader.
Sources in the party had told the Nigerian Tribune that the mission was to straighten issues, in line with President Jonathan’s belief in the African tradition which accords respect to elders.
“It is his (Jonathan) belief that elders, especially those who have held positions of authority before, are wiser out of office and that consultations with them from time to time is to be expected,” a source said, adding that some feelers reaching the former president had insinuated that Jonathan was fighting him.
Besides, it was gathered that Obasanjo was of the view that Jonathan harboured some ill feelings against him and that some occasional attacks on his person might have been sanctioned by the president.
“The meeting was frank and straight to the issues at hand. The president assured Obasanjo he would do nothing to injure his reputation, but insisted that respect should be reciprocal.
“He said in our culture, elders are to be respected, even when they make mistakes and that when issues of public communication are involved, caution should not be thrown to the wind,” it was further gathered.
“Two clerics were also on hand at the meeting, though the real meeting took place at the inner recess of the living room,” a source said, adding that their presence was to mediate in the seeming misunderstanding between the two leaders and pray for a peaceful Nigeria, Tribune reports. (Tribune)