21st CENTURY CHRONICLE ROUNDTABLE: Election: How Obasanjo’s do-or-die comments caused tension in 2007
Presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina has blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the tension which trailed the 2007 election.
Adesina who was the chairman of 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE roundtable afternoon session with the topic: “Reducing tension as election year approaches,” said the do-or-die comment and attitude of the former president during the 2007 election created a lot of tension and conflicts in some parts of the country.
The former president at a meeting with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and stakeholders in Abeokuta North Local Government, had said the general election that year would be a do-or-die affair for his party.
He said, “It is left to you to ensure that we elect credible and committed leaders. I commend those of you in the PDP for your efforts so far. You must remain committed to the party.
“I will campaign. This election is a do-or-die affair for me and the PDP. This coming election is a matter of life and death for the PDP and Nigeria.”
He, however, clarified that the poll would only be a do-or-die affair to prevent those who might drag the nation backward from coming to power.
However, Adesina for Obasanjo as a sitting president to have expressed such sentiment publicly was the height of irresponsibility, while urging actors to desist from acts which are capable of heating up the polity.
