3. Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo
Hate him or like him, he is one of the kings of Nigeria’s politics and very adept politician. Obasanjo could easily earn the nickname ‘maradona of Nigeria politics’ because he is that result getter.
Former president Obasanjo has remained the highly sought after political ‘godfather’ since he left power in 2007. Obasanjo’s Ota Farm Home become a political mecca of some sort. During the run-up to the 2015 general elections, many politicians thronged to the home of Obasanjo for consultations. In the heat of the electioneering, the former president tore his membership card of the Peoples Democratic Party thus paving way to be more accessible to other political parties especially the now ruling APC.
OBJ as he is fondly called by friends, associates and even foes has made himself an ‘irresistible bride’ to politicians. He subtly campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of his state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Beyond the elections in 2015, the ex-president of Nigeria was instrumental to the emergence of some ministers. It is believed in some quarters that he played a leading role in the emergence of the minister of finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun among many others.
Remember the famous letter he sent to Jonathan at the peak of electioneering period? That was the melting point in the influence exerted by Obasanjo. As if that was not enough, he came out with his ‘controversial’ book, My Watch, which serves as an expose on topical issues confronting the nation. The influence of Obasanjo in the 2015 politics has been well felt and even his political opponent would not want to wish it away.
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