Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Monday announced that he was parting ways with partisan politics but would remain a statesman.
This announcement came as reports say the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled him.
The decision to expel the former Nigerian leader may not be unconnected with his action on Monday, when he tore his PDP membership card during a meeting with the leadership of the party in his Ward 11 Abeokuta North Local Government Area.
Obasanjo spoke with newsmen after the meeting with his Ward leaders at his Hilltop Mansion, saying he already had the hint that the party would expel him.
He however said he was not perturbed, having been trying to distance himself from the party and its leadership.
He told reporters, “They said they want to expel me from PDP. Although I have not been told but, I have my ears on ground.
“We’ve been trying to run away from a man but he pleads we wait for him at the other side of the river.”
Obasanjo said he would prefer to remain a statesman rather than joining another political party but will be available to work with anybody without political affiliation.
“I have told you before that I became president on the platform of PDP. Once I leave the PDP, I will not join any party.
“I will only be a Nigerian. I am ready to work with anybody regardless of political affiliation.
“Why would some people say they want to send me away? They don’t need to bother themselves.
“Here’s your membership card, take it.
“From today on, in the presence of all us and with your support, I am not going to be in any political party in Nigeria.
“I am no more a politician but a statesman both internally and externally. The issued that they want to expel me from the party for, once you people are with me what other people am I looking for?”
