Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Dr. Matthew Kukah, said he did not know the meeting with Obasanjo and Atiku would turn to the political jamboree.
The bishop said was at the meeting to s witness the reconciliation of a prolonged dispute between the two leaders.
Kukah told the News Agency of Nigeria in Sokoto, Monday, in reaction to concerns that his meeting with both leaders was for political reasons.
The Catholic bishop said it was strictly to support and witness their reconciliation, which he has been trying to broker for some years.
Kukah said he has for several years made efforts to reconcile both leaders without success until recently, when they both agreed to meet and make peace.
He said on Thursday, October 11, they had agreed to meet in Obasanjo’s home in Abeokuta, along with some religious leaders, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, and Oyedepo.
The cleric said on getting to the home of the former president, he saw that more and more people were trooping there and the meeting was gradually starting to have a political undertone.
He said to ensure he does not get involved with anything relating to politics, he quickly advised Obasanjo to carry out the reconciliation behind closed doors and not in public.
“I proposed to the former president that he should sit down with Alhaji Atiku behind closed- doors, sort out their issues after which I and Sheikh Gumi will join them as Bishop Oyedepo was yet to arrive at the time.
“After their closed-door meeting, I advised that the religious leaders, myself inclusive, join them, so we could listen to them, serve as witnesses to the reconciliation, advise them and pray for them.”
