ORJI KALU: OBASANJO’S THIRD TERM DENIAL IS A BLATANT LIE
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Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia North, asserts that former President Olusegun Obasanjo summoned him to the Presidential Villa to disclose his aspirations for a third term.
During a Democracy Dialogue convened on September 20 in Accra by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Obasanjo refuted any claims of seeking a third term in office.
The ex-president stated that no Nigerian, living or deceased, could offer evidence to substantiate such assertions.
“I am not a fool. If I desired a third term, I am aware of the procedures to attain it. Moreover, there is no Nigerian, past or present, who could claim that I contacted them regarding my intention for a third term,” Obasanjo declared.
Obasanjo held the presidency of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, coinciding with Kalu’s tenure as governor of Abia State.
“A BAREFACED LIE”
In an interview with the media on Wednesday, Kalu characterized Obasanjo’s recent disavowal of the third-term initiative as “a barefaced lie.”
He contended that Obasanjo had personally communicated his intention to amend the constitution in order to prolong his time in office beyond 2007 to him and several governors.
“With due respect to President Obasanjo, his comments in Ghana were a blatant falsehood, a stark fallacy,” Kalu stated.
“Numerous individuals who were part of that era are still alive—David Mark, among others. They are aware of the truth. ”
The senator from Abia alleged that bribes were distributed among lawmakers to garner support for this initiative.
“Senator Uche Chukwumerije contributed N50 million which was distributed, and they inquired whether I would accept it as a governor,” he recounted.
“I declined—return it, I advised. Even the National Security Adviser (Nuhu Ribadu) would be aware that Obasanjo was being untruthful; he was centrally involved. ”
Kalu indicated that his refusal to endorse the plan precipitated a rift between himself and the former president.
“My disagreement with him commenced when I informed Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and George Bush of the United States that Obasanjo was pursuing a third term,” he noted.
“I even conveyed this to Nelson Mandela, may his soul rest in peace. They all confronted him. I question why the foundation of Nigeria should be built upon falsehoods by statesmen. ”
“HE ALREADY PERSUADED SOME GOVERNORS”
Kalu remarked that Obasanjo’s ambitions were well-known among political leaders of that era.
“Indeed, Obasanjo conveyed his intentions to me in the villa; that was the inception of the discussions. I informed him that it was unfeasible,” Kalu recalled.
“He had successfully persuaded certain governors, yet individuals like myself and a few others expressed opposition. I am a devoted Christian. I took an oath on the Bible to serve for merely eight years, and that concluded my service. ”
He noted that Obasanjo frequently referenced long-serving leaders like Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi to rationalize his desire to remain in power.
“He would often cite Gaddafi’s continued leadership and that of others,” Kalu stated.
“However, democracy is predicated on the rule of law. The elegance of constitutional democracy lies in the imposition of term limits. ”
“If the constitution stipulates eight years, no individual should exceed that duration. Anyone who attempts to do so is courting divine retribution.
“He conveyed this message to numerous governors from the northern region as well. Should those governors possess sufficient fortitude, they will articulate the truth.
“He aspired for a third term, and we intervened. He even found himself in conflict with Governor Peter Odili regarding this matter. The individual cannot alter historical facts — it is evident that he sought a third term. ”
The legislator asserted that his resistance to Obasanjo’s intentions was rooted in reverence for the constitution, rather than personal hostility.
“We intervened in accordance with the constitution,” he stated.
“Our constitution is paramount. Even the US administration under President George Bush endorsed efforts to thwart him. History will acknowledge that some of us upheld the principles of democracy. ”
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