I’m ready to die for Nigeria but not for any party – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said he was willing to sacrifice his life in the interest of the country. He said this when the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party, Dr. Martins Onovo, paid him a visit at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state. Obasanjo, however, said he would not sacrifice his life for any political party. “My first pre-occupation is what is best for Nigeria. Nigeria first, party second and any other thing, third. I can sacrifice anything in the interest of Nigeria and I can sacrifice my own life for Nigeria. “I can’t sacrifice my life for any party’s interest but I’ll sacrifice my life in the interest of Nigeria,” Obasanjo said. He also commended the founder of the NCP, Late Gani Fawehinmi, who he described as a veritable voice of conscience. Obasanjo said, “Let me hasten to wish you every success in your endeavour and also pay tribute, as I have done in my recent book, to the founder of your party, Gani Fawehinmi. I believe he was a genuine social critic. Though you may not agree with all he said or how he went about it but he was definitely a genuine social critic. “So if you, as the flag bearer of the party, believed that you should follow on his footsteps of integrity and genuine critical and committed analysis and criticism of the situation in the country, I think nobody will fault you.” He also urged the NCP to accept the outcome of the February 14 election as long as it is free, fair and credible, adding that people do not necessarily have to be in government before thay can contribute to the development of the country. “In this part of the world, we have a saying that if people sleep and they put their heads on the same pillow, they are in danger. That means there should be some people that should be critically looking and watching and also able to speak up. They should speak up, no matter what others may say.