Joshua Omoloye, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while congratulating former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 85th birthday said he is an exceptionally patriotic leader, courageous statesman, insightful administrator and global personality.
The party commended Obasanjo for continuing to play pivotal roles towards the security, unity, stability and development of Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world at large.
The party paid glowing tributes to the former president in a statement Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba.
“As a military leader, democratically elected President and now an elder statesman, Chief Obasanjo remains a detribalized leader and firm believer in one and indivisible Nigeria established on the firm foundation of democracy, justice, equity, transparency and the rule of law”, the party said.
The PDP recalled Chief Obasanjo’s leading role as Military Head of State to effectively steer the ship of state and returned the nation to democratic rule in 1979.
The party further said “as a democratically elected President, under the platform of our great Party, the PDP, Chief Obasanjo ran an all-inclusive, transparent and development-oriented government, entrenched democratic practice, revamped the productive sectors, set up anti-corruption institutions and steadied the nation on the path of economic prosperity in line with the vision and manifesto of the PDP.
“Under the Obasanjo-led PDP administration, our nation paid off our foreign debt, instilled good governance to effectively empower Nigerians and stimulate rapid growth in critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, education, power, oil and gas, healthcare, housing, banking and finance, telecommunication among others, and made our nation a global investment destination.
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“As an elder stateman, Chief Obasanjo continues to make himself available for national service. Indeed, if the current administration had followed Chief Obasanjo’s wise counsels our nation would not have been in its current sorry situation.
Also, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan while felicitating with the former President commended Obasanjo’s consistence with the Nigerian project.
“I heartily felicitate former President Obasanjo as he continues his strong march in his remarkable journey of life.
“President Obasanjo is a true Nigerian patriot, pan-Africanist and global figure who has made great contributions to the political development of Nigeria and the emancipation of Africa.
“President Obasanjo is a consistent protagonist of the Nigerian project. Even now as an elder statesman, he has continued to push for Nigeria to realise her huge potentials as a great nation.
“This is to be expected, as his name is linked to some of the greatest events and developments in the Nigerian history.
“I therefore heartily join Nigerians across the country in celebrating this unique figure as he crosses the milestone of 85 years.
“I also congratulate him on the divine blessing of attaining the milestone in good health of body and mind, and wish him many more years of continued service to his beloved Nigeria and Africa, and to the cause of peace all over the world,” Lawan said in a statement Sunday by his media adviser, Ola Awoniyi
