Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has rejected claims by former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, that he misled leaders of the Alliance for Democracy ahead of the 2003 general elections, insisting he conducted his political engagements with openness and sincerity.
Obasanjo made the clarification in a statement released on Thursday in response to Osoba's article, "How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003," published in The Legal Observer. He described the account as inaccurate and incomplete while alleging that his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar, spearheaded efforts to remove him from office through impeachment.
The ex-President maintained that Osoba was not involved in several high-level consultations held with Afenifere and Alliance for Democracy leaders, saying many of the negotiations were handled by senior Yoruba political figures beyond the former governor's knowledge.
He dismissed the allegation that he deceived the Yoruba political leadership, stressing that he had always presented issues exactly as he understood them and never intentionally misled anyone.
Obasanjo also defended the outcome of the 2003 governorship elections in the South-West, arguing that the Alliance for Democracy governors lost largely because of the electorate's decision. He, however, claimed that results in one state were altered.
The former President further alleged that Osoba failed to mount an effective campaign before the election and eventually apologised to Ogun residents on television over what he described as his perceived arrogance.
On the impeachment controversy, Obasanjo claimed Atiku enlisted the support of the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na'Abba, to initiate moves aimed at removing him from office. He alleged that the former Vice-President provided financial support to kick-start the process, adding that intelligence reports later exposed the plot.
According to him, the failed impeachment attempt was followed by another political strategy in which Atiku allegedly sought the backing of the six Alliance for Democracy governors with the understanding that they would support his presidential ambition after retaining their offices.
Obasanjo said he had no involvement in the alleged arrangement and insisted that suggestions linking him to the plan were false and intended to mislead the governors.
Reflecting on his return to partisan politics, the former President said he was persuaded by different groups across the country to contest for office after leaving prison. He added that he consulted respected political leaders from different regions before eventually joining the Peoples Democratic Party.
He also said his political disagreements with the late Chief Abraham Adesanya and other Afenifere leaders never affected their personal relationships, stressing that politics should promote healthy competition rather than lasting hostility.
Obasanjo defended his decision to appoint members of the Alliance for Democracy into his administration after assuming office in 1999, saying the move was intended to strengthen national unity and inclusive governance.
He also dismissed claims that he relied on the support of the six Alliance for Democracy governors to run his administration, arguing that he already enjoyed the backing of the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council and a majority of state governors.
While criticising Afenifere for what he described as its fixation on ethnic politics, Obasanjo praised Osoba for approving the land on which the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library was built in Abeokuta, describing the gesture as a lasting contribution to Ogun State.
The former President urged Osoba to embrace humility and preserve personal relationships despite political differences, saying public office and political contests should never create permanent enemies.
0 Comments