By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo has finally broken his silence on the long-standing controversy surrounding his alleged third-term ambition.
The former President made the disclosure in an interview on News Central which aired on Thursday.
In the interview, Obasanjo denied ever nursing such ambitions, contrary to claims by his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani.
Obasanjo stated that if he had wanted a third term, he would have gotten it. He attributed the rumours to some governors who were secretly working towards extending their own terms in office. These governors believed that if Obasanjo secured a third term, they would also benefit from an extended tenure.
His words: “If I had wanted a third term, I would have gotten it. I didn’t want a third term. I know some governors working for this, believing that if I, as president, got a third, they would also get it.”
Obasanjo revealed that getting debt relief for Nigeria was a far more challenging task than securing a third term. He proudly noted that his administration successfully obtained debt relief for the country, a feat that required diplomatic efforts with countries like France, England, Japan, and the United States.
Atiku Abubakar and Ken Nnamani have both claimed to have played instrumental roles in toppling Obasanjo’s alleged third-term bid.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Atiku claimed that his connections within the National Assembly enabled him to block Obasanjo’s third-term agenda.
Obasanjo and Atiku served as Nigeria’s president and vice president from 1999 to 2007. However, their relationship went sour when Obasanjo chose not to support Atiku as his successor.
Meanwhile, Nnamani, stated that he had to give up his senatorial ambition to ensure Obasanjo’s third-term bid was defeated. He alleged that lawmakers were offered promises and cash incentives, but he remained committed to preventing the agenda, which ultimately led to his failure to secure re-election in 2007.