Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to the purported video of him meeting with President Bola Tinubu and also seeking a job from the President during the 80th birthday reception of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, on Thursday.
Obasanjo condemned and described the purported video as fake.
His reaction was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
The statement said the former Nigerian leader is now in South Africa for the burial of his friend and brother, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi holding today.
The statement partly reads, “One, I have not seen Bola Tinubu since he visited me in my house in Abeokuta when he was campaigning. Secondly, I was at the church and NOT the reception for Alake’s 80th birthday reception.
“To put the content of the video in proper perspective, it happened that during Tinubu’s visit to his house last year, he met the former President playing his favorite traditional game (ayo) and he started the banter, jokingly telling the former President that, he was shocked to see him playing the ‘ayo’ game at that time of the day.
“Spontaneously, as he was getting up from his chair to welcome him and other accompanying visitors, Obasanjo responded: “when I don’t have a job. If you are ready to give me a job, I am ready to do it.”
“Shortly after, Tinubu was heard praying for longevity in Obasanjo’s life, as they both walked into the sitting room with others.
“This is however contrary to the meaning the viral video is putting out as Obasanjo says, ‘I am not looking for work and I am not working with anyone as the fake news puts out. Those who are looking for people to work with Bola Tinubu should look outside Obasanjo.”
