Obasanjo Pays Surprise Visit to President Jonathan in Nairobi
It
would be recalled that President Jonathan on arrived Kenyan capital on
the evening of December 11, 2013, Wednesday, for celebrations of the
50th Independence Anniversary of Kenya.
President Goodluck Jonathan
and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, had breakfast together in
Nairobi, Kenya, on December 12, 2013, Thursday.
Both politicians were among other African leaders that graced the 50th Independence Anniversary celebration of Kenya at the Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani, Nairobi, on Thursday, December 12.
Obasanjo’s visit was said to have taken everybody by surprise as it contradicts the expected nature of the relationship between both men, owing to recent public criticisms of the President by Obasanjo.
The
unexpected meeting held prior to the anniversary event, as the former
president, Obasanjo, paid a surprise visit to President Jonathan at the
Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, where they had a private breakfast together.
Reports say
the two politicians had a “fruitful discussion” after emerging from the
meeting beaming with smiles and sharing a warm handshake.
It
would be recalled that Obasanjo had written a strong-worded letter,
which went public earlier this week (Wednesday), accusing the President
of performing below par and taking actions calculated at destroying the
country. The previous meeting between Jonathan and Obasanjo was on
December 10, 2013, Tuesday, as they attended the memorial held to honor
the life of Nelson “Madiba” Madela, South Africa’s great man of history
and world’s single most significant statesman of the last 100 years.
In
his speech, President Jonathan called on all Kenyans to unite.
According to him, there was no alternative to unity if Kenyans must move
their nation forward. In building their nation, Jonathan told Kenyans
that they must make unity their focal point.
He
said that the destiny of Kenya lies with its people and as such, the
people must strive hard to take their country to a greater height.
President Jonathan said that he was happy that former Kenyan Prime
Minister, Raila Odinga was present at the event and working with
President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Nobody can love you more than Kenyans, so you all have to jointly develop your country. All Kenyans should come together to form an inclusive society.
“Since 2007, many African countries like Kenya have been celebrating 50 years of independence and freedom, our founding fathers talked of political freedom to be followed by economic freedom.
“The present generation of African leaders must work hard on science and technology as well as industrialisation, so that there could be economic development and freedom.” President Jonathan stated.
Obasanjo was said to have sat quietly during the event and was making calls on his mobile phone at intervals while the event lasted.
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