Obasanjo Fires Again, Warns Jonathan: ‘Keep your reply, save Nigeria!’

As the Presidency prepares a reply to the 18-page
letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo
to President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the
nation, indications emerged, yesterday, that the
former leader was not expecting any reply but action
from Jonathan.
A competent source told Sunday Vanguard that
Obasanjo was more interested in Jonathan
addressing the core issues he raised in his letter
rather than getting a reply to his damning missive,
entitled, 'Before it is too late'.
The source, which also denied any breakfast meeting
between Obasanjo and Jonathan in Nairobi, the
capital of Kenya, said the story was made up by
those who tried to play down the importance of the
former leader's letter.
The source said,"The truth of the matter is that
former President Obasanjo is not expecting President
Jonathan to reply him. Absolutely no. The President
did not consider it needful to respond to previous
letters privately written to him by the former head of
state and he does not expect any reply to this one.
"I can tell you that Obasanjo wrote the letter with the
best intentions for Jonathan and Nigeria and what he
wants from the President is courageous and timely
actions to save Nigeria from the brink. That's all.
"Obasanjo will be a happy Nigerian if appropriate
steps are taken by President Jonathan to address the
burning issues of corruption and other challenges
that threaten to bring this country down.
"There is absolutely no reason to expect a reply from
the Presidency when previous letters written to him
were not even acknowledged."
It was however learnt, at the weekend, that
presidential aides have drafted a response to
Obasanjo's letter.
The response was said to be awaiting Jonathan's
approval.
Asked to justify the breakfast parley between the
former President and Jonathan in Kenya on the day
the bromide of Obasanjo's letter was feasted on by
the media, the source said there was no meeting
between the two leaders.
The source said that Obasanjo and Jonathan only met
by chance and exchanged pleasantries as they
lodged in the same hotel in Nairobi.
Obasanjo stirred controversy when he wrote a letter
to Jonathan drawing his attention to myriad of issues
capable of taking Nigeria to the brink if not
addressed.
But the Presidency fired back, describing the letter as
inciting, provocative and self-serving. Presidential
spokesman, Reuben Abati, who's issued a statement,
indicated that Jonathan would make a formal
response but did not say when he would do so.
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