Political activist and civil society leader Dr. Usman Bugaje has strongly disputed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent denial of pursuing a third term in office, asserting that the ex-president “did everything within his power” to extend his tenure.
Obasanjo, speaking at a democracy dialogue hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana last week, dismissed the long-standing third-term controversy. He stated, “I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian dead or alive that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term.”
Bugaje, who served in the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s administration, countered these claims during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, September 22. He said legislators at the time had firsthand knowledge of Obasanjo’s alleged ambitions.
“I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for a third term. He did everything that he could within his power to get a third term, and he failed to do so,” Bugaje declared.
He added, “Now, the fact that he did not take a telephone to make a particular call to anybody is not sufficient evidence that he did not look for a third term. It’s just a matter of style, but all of us in the National Assembly at that time knew beyond any doubt that he worked day and night, and many of us were threatened by his own agents.”
Bugaje recounted incidents of intimidation against lawmakers, citing Senator Victor Lar, then leader of the Northern caucus in the House of Representatives, who reportedly had to hide in various locations before a crucial gathering to resist the third-term bid.
He concluded, “Those people who actually distributed the money and threatened us are alive. Those who received the money are alive. Those who refused to receive the money are alive. There is sufficient evidence… this is a matter that is incontrovertible; there is no way he can deny it.”