Political activist and civil society leader, Usman Bugaje, has faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s denial of seeking a third term in office, insisting that the ex-leader “did everything within his power” to extend his stay.
Obasanjo, speaking at a democracy dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana last week, dismissed the long-standing controversy.
“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,” Obasanjo had said.
But appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Bugaje, who served in the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s administration, maintained that legislators at the time had first-hand knowledge of the former president’s ambition.
Bugaje stated, “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.
“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 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.”
The activist recalled how some lawmakers faced intimidation, citing Senator Victor Lar, then leader of the Northern caucus of the House of Representatives, who, according to him, had to hide in different locations before a decisive meeting was held 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.
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