According to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, some state governors were involved in the failed attempt to extend term limits during the infamous third term fiasco in 2006. Despite consistently denying his personal involvement in seeking an extension of his stay in office beyond 2007, Obasanjo revealed that certain governors were pursuing their own interests in supporting the third term agenda. He explained that if the president had been successful in securing a third term, these governors would have also had a chance for an extended term.
During a conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Obasanjo discussed his time in office and his administration’s stance on anti-corruption. He acknowledged that the governors played a significant role in pushing for a third term, driven by their own ambitions.
The controversy surrounding the third term bid has been a subject of criticism and scrutiny. Former governor Segun Osoba of Ogun state criticized Obasanjo for what he perceived as inaccuracies in the former president’s book, “My Watch,” and claimed that Obasanjo almost begged for support for a third term.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who served as a governor during that period, confirmed that Obasanjo had indeed desired a third term, but the bid ultimately failed due to resistance from the national assembly. Ken Nnamani, former senate president, also revealed that lawmakers in the fifth national assembly sacrificed their political careers to ensure the termination of the controversial third term agenda.
Regarding allegations of embezzlement, Obasanjo defended himself by stating that his expertise lies in raising funds rather than misappropriating them. He urged those who cannot match his financial acumen to refrain from castigating him. It is worth noting that, like former President Muhammadu Buhari, Obasanjo had previously ruled Nigeria as a military head of state before returning as a civilian president during the country’s fourth republic.
