Fuel Subsidy: Obasanjo Rallies Ex-Leaders To Mediate

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo may have succeeded in rallying some former leaders to meet with President Jonathan on Monday, regardless of the outcome of yesterday’s negotiation between Labour and government.

The President is said to have planned a Council of State meeting for Tuesday this week to review the state of the nation.

The Guardian confirmed that Obasanjo had, a week before the subsidy was removed, visited Jonathan at the Villa , where he held discussions with him on the volatile issue of removal of subsidy.

It was gathered, at the weekend, that since the nationwide strike and mass rallies, Obasanjo had been working the telephones in his bid to rally former leaders to lend their voice to douse the tension in the country.

It was also learnt that Obasanjo has successfully persuaded General Gowon and Alhaji Shagari to meet the President on Monday before the Council of State meeting in Abuja — if it holds eventually.

It was, however not clear at press time if Gen. Abdusalami and former Interim National Government leader, Chief Ernest Shonekan, would be part of the meeting.