I’m a nonparty statesman — Obasanjo

Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly distanced himself from any political affiliations, asserting his position as a nonpartisan statesman.

Obasanjo called on Nigerians to maintain their resilience amidst the challenging economic landscape the nation is currently facing, stressing the importance of unity and hope as they navigate these trying times.

Obasanjo disclosed this during a Thanksgiving service in Abuja marking the 80th birthday of Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, a respected journalist and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The service took place at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, located in Wuse, Zone 3.

The former president hailed the celebrant’s de-tribalistic disposition and loyalty during his 1999 election campaigns, urging him to remain committed to humanity for the rest of his life.

In his words: “In Nigeria today, we must remain optimistic and hopeful in the wake of the gloomy economic realities. What Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13: your faith must not diminish. You must never lose hope.

“I remember when we came together during the campaign in 1999. I’d known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in PDP: myself and Alex Ekwueme.

“You pitched your tent with me regardless of what people said. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard.

“Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.

“Your loyalty was absolute. I deeply appreciate it. Throughout my tenure, your loyalty was not 99.9% but 100%. I will be eternally grateful to you. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter but for the party that we all built together. Even though now I’m a no-party statesman. I want to emphasise what the bishop said. At 80, what more do you want? Do you need it?

“All I will say is that you need to continue to serve humanity and serve God. Enjoy yourself, but don’t overdo it; I will be here when you’re 90 and even 100.”

The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, in his goodwill message, described Ugochukwu as a loyal friend and honest Nigerian.

He said: “We met during our administration around 1998-99. I want to say that during our administration, even when the president and I were having problems, Ugochukwu never took sides. Rather, he tried to be a conciliator; all along, I found him an extremely dedicated and honest Nigerian.”

Also, a member of the Central Planning Committee, Prof. Tunde Olusunle, encouraged younger journalists to draw inspiration from Ugochukwu and to focus on the fundamental values of the profession, stressing the importance of integrity and purpose over financial gain.

He also described Ugochukwu as humble, focused, forthright, and accommodating, irrespective of ethnic disparities.

“Younger colleagues can benefit from pacing themselves a bit. Consider the example of Ugochukwu, who had the chance to explore various opportunities for growth. He was initially employed at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and after two years, he made a bold decision to transition into the media—an uncertain but rewarding field. His successful career serves as an inspiration.

“I believe our young professionals should focus on honing their skills and developing a clear plan rather than rushing into monetization. By following Ugochukwu’s example, we can encourage them to be dedicated, systematic, and professional in their approach to their careers,” he said.