Taiwo Obasanjo, one of the wives of former President Olusegeun Obasanjo, who refused to attend her son’s wedding, has declared forgiveness for all involved in the May 11 and 13 events which held in Lagos.
The grand wedding of former Miss Temitope Adebutu and Olujowan Obasanjo held without the groom’s mother present.
Angry that she was excluded from the planning of the May 11 and 13, 2017, ceremonies, Taiwo had gone to court to get the wedding postponed till after June 1, and written to the Methodist Church to list her fears.
She had even planned to picket the Methodist Church of the Trinity in Tinubu Square and the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, where the reception held, but was prevailed upon.
“I have forgiven them as a praying mother. You cannot justify before God not forgiving those who offended you. I have been praying for a forgiving spirit, and it’s already done,” she said.
Taiwo, who spoke in an interview with Encomium Weekly, maintained that she has forgiven her son, daughter and daughter-in-law and all those who upset her by not allowing her witness her only son’s wedding.
Her daughter, Esther Olubunmi Williams, represented her at all the ceremonies.
Taiwo said, “It’s not something l want to be reminded of. It was a big pain that l don’t want to remember. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
“I have forgiven everybody, and l want everyone to forgive me.I love them. I love my daughter very much. My children are wonderful. We are a family that has God. If your children offend you and they apologise, you forgive them. And you allow God’s love to rule.Both of them apologised to me (daughter and son). I have forgiven my daughter-in-law (Temitope Adebutu) too.”
Speaking about her grandchildren, Taiwo, who is now a politician, enthused that: “I am a proud grandmother already. It’s wonderful, fulfilling. It’s like running a relay race, and you handover the baton. Someone gave birth to you, you give birth and your children are now giving birth. It’s joyful.”
Recalling her marriage to Obasanjo and her experiences during her two pregnancies, she said, “Pregnancy was not easy for me. That’s the plan of God for me – to have only two children. I am appreciative of God. They are wonderful children. The man is an excellent guy. He works with his father (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, two-time leader of Nigeria from 1976 – 1979 and 1999 – 2007) in one of his companies in Abeokuta (Ogun state). I have fond memories of them growing up. It’s been a beautiful life. God has blessed me so much. I thank God for motherhood and fatherhood. Their father is a great man. He’s a man l love and appreciate.”
Mrs. Obasanjo is very concerned about Nigeria’s future, and talked about her political party (Abundance Congress Party):
“The party is not registered yet, but we are working towards it. It’s an all-inclusive party of the prominent and obscure from the west, east, and north and south. It’s for a collection of people who have come back to their senses. We are for selfless service and selfless sacrifice.
It’s for those who have repented. Those who were once corrupt and now upright, once bad but are now good. Not those with mercenary agenda. We practise self discipline. Transparency, accountability and prudence are key. We are concerned about a better tomorrow.”
