Political activist and civil society leader, Usman Bugaje, has challenged former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent denial of ever seeking a third term in office, insisting that the former leader “did everything within his power” to extend his tenure.
Obasanjo, speaking last week at a democracy dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana, had dismissed the long-standing controversy, saying:
“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.”
However, appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Bugaje, who served in the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s administration, countered the claim, arguing that legislators at the time had firsthand knowledge of the former president’s ambitions.
“I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for third term. He did everything that he could within his power to get third term; he failed to do so,” Bugaje said.
The activist alleged that many lawmakers were intimidated by agents of the administration, recalling that some, including Senator Victor Lar, then leader of the Northern caucus in the House of Representatives, had to hide in different locations to resist the plan.
“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,” Bugaje stressed.
