Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently addressed longstanding rumors about his alleged ambition for a third presidential term. In a recent interview with News Central, he refuted claims by his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani that he desired an extension in office.
Obasanjo explained that if he had truly wanted a third term, he could have pursued it. However, he clarified that it was actually some governors who secretly pushed for extended tenures, hoping to benefit if Obasanjo succeeded in amending the constitution. Obasanjo emphasized that his priority was securing debt relief for Nigeria, which required significant diplomatic negotiations with countries such as France, the UK, Japan, and the U.S.
Atiku and Nnamani have previously claimed to have played crucial roles in preventing Obasanjo’s supposed third-term bid. Atiku cited his connections in the National Assembly as pivotal, while Nnamani claimed he sacrificed his senatorial ambitions to stop the agenda, resisting offers of cash incentives and other enticements.