TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO) on Monday reacted to the exit of Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president and former chairman of the party’s board of trustees, from the party, saying while he was free to leave, he did not have to spit in their faces by publicly tearing up the party card.

A statement issued by Femi Fani-Kayode, director of media and publicity of PDPPCO, read: “Watching our party membership card being torn up whilst President Obasanjo was standing there and smiling was painful and tragic.

“This is a party which he helped to build and on whose platform he was elected president for eight good years. The truth is that President Obasanjo is far better and far bigger than that. Such behaviour is provocative and unacceptable.

“He is free to leave the party but does he have to spit in our faces by tearing up our party card in public and before the television cameras?
“This knee-jerk reaction is most unlike President Obasanjo and it is very insulting. It is clear that he has burnt all the bridges and that he has left us forever.

“On a personal note, I feel saddened by this but the truth is that many in our party have heaved a huge sigh of relief. Many of us love President Obasanjo and we shall continue to do so regardless of whether he is in our party or not, but tearing up that party card was too much to bear.

“It spoke volumes and it was indicative of the deep hatred and contempt that he has for us and our cause. It reminded me of the biblical passage in which King Saul rejected David and then planned to stop him from ascending to the throne by attempting to kill and destroy him. Thankfully the Lord was with David and not only did he deliver him from Saul, he also crowned him King.”