TheCable

Tony Anenih, former political associate of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not rue his departure from the party.

Obasanjo handed in his membership card at his Abeokuta home on Monday reportedly ahead of his planned expulsion from the ruling party.

Anenih, who took over the chairmanship of PDP board of trustees (BoT) from Obasanjo following the former president’s resignation in 2007, told journalists at the presidential villa Monday afternoon that the party leaders will not miss the retired general.

Anenih said: “He (Obasanjo) has the right to leave any party, and he has the right to join any party. He is a Nigerian.”

He said Obasanjo’s exit was not a “big loss” to the party, asking rhetorically: “Why should we miss him?”

Anenih was minister of works when Obasanjo was president and was often referred to as “Mr Fix It” because of the belief that he could get anything fixed politically.

But he fell out with Obasanjo in 2007 when President Umaru Musa Yar’Adau came to power.

The PDP constitution was amended to deny Obasanjo sole franchise to the position of BoT chairman, and Obasanjo subsequently resigned.

In his latest book, My Watch, Obasanjo wrote: “The amendment to the Peoples Democratic Party’s Constitution, which puts a former president who is a product of PDP as the chairman of the party’s board of trustees, was spearheaded by then Governors James Ibori, Makarfi and Chief Tony Anenih. Whatever their reason for that constitutional amendment, I was the one available to occupy the post.

“But when Umaru and members of his cabal, along with their associates, set about pulling down Obasanjo, they pursued it to the board of trustees. Chief Tony Anenih and James Ibori were fellow travellers. I personally gained nothing from being chairman of the board of trustees (BOT). If anything, it cost me in terms of time, resources, and effort to settle quarrels and feuds within the party.

“Nevertheless, I have derived benefits from the party as I became elected president of Nigeria on its platform; therefore, I should contribute whatever I can to the fortunes and sustenance of the party. But, having participated actively in bringing up my successor and my successor’s successor, I believe that I have adequately paid my dues. Nobody in Goodluck Jonathan’s camp, or sponsored or encouraged by them, is clamouring for my bowing out, but I personally believe in doing so while the ovation is loudest.”