I learnt that you ignore ‘boss’ OBJ at your own peril; Atiku must not repeat mistake- Jonathan

Former president Goodluck Jonathan has advised former vice-president Atiku Abubakar to mend fences with ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo whom he described as the “boss of bosses” in Nigerian politics, saying failure to ascribe to him his due honour could be politically costly.

Jonathan said any “politician who ignores Obasanjo does so at its own peril,” advising ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to find a way of courting his former boss, if he (Atiku) must realise his presidential ambition.

He argued that it would be impossible for Atiku to realise his presidential ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 elections, presenting the option of running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the viable alternative.

Read also: 2019: People come to me every day saying ‘we want you, even in the North’- Jonathan

He stressed that Atiku must do everything to get Obasanjo’s endorsement, whom he said had the “magic wand” and remained a powerful force.

Jonathan was quoted as saying this in an interview he recently granted the Ovation Magazine, published by Dele Momodu.

“He (Atiku) can’t get the APC ticket. If Atiku gets our party (PDP) 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”.

Atiku, who served as Vice-President during Obasanjo’s eight-year administration, fell out with his former boss during his second term reportedly over power tussle.

 

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