Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has said he was yet to formally join any of the political parties. Obasanjo who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) six months ago, said he would rather remain a statesman for now.

The former president stated this just as he commended the developmental strides of the Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada. Obasanjo noted that the reduced friction experienced in the state under his (Wada’s) administration was commendable.

The former president who hosted a delegation from the state led by the governor at his Presidential Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, said despite his decision not to play active partisan politics anymore, he would continue to work with any Nigerian with good intentions and leadership traits.

He said: “Everybody is welcome. But, they must be with good leadership traits, with genuine intentions to improve the country.”

Obasanjo noted that contrary to the praises being showered on him for his performance as president on the PDP platform, it was important to emphasize that personality should be placed before the platform one represents to achieve desired goals.

According to him, “we should understand first that, not the party made the person, but the person makes the party. It is who you are that you bring into the party. Though for now I remain a “partyless” Nigerian, but, I will continue to welcome any Nigerian with good leadership qualities.

“It does not matter which party you are, either, PDP, APC, Labour, APGA, any party at all, as long as you are committed, sincere and a purposeful leader, I am ready for you. And that is what our brother is doing. I pray that this country will never be short of this type of people”.

 Governor Wada described Obasanjo as a father of the nation, stressing that those who believed in him, would continue to learn from his commitment and dedication for the growth of the country.

“Everywhere we meet Baba, we learn a lot and we shall continue to learn from him. He is a father of the nation. He is a figure we admire. We pray that we all would be like him, because he is a committed Nigerian, who has devoted himself to the growth of the country. So, why not, if some of us decide to emulate him, be with him and appreciate him.”

Wada explained that the visit to Obasanjo was coming on the heels of his award as the best governor in the country, saying, “since we were honoured as the best governor yesterday, in Lagos, we deem it appropriate to come down to Abeokuta to report to our father, the little recognition we are getting.

“As you know, Baba Obasanjo is our father, our role model and shining example for the nation and the world at large,” the governor added.