HE DID EVERYTHING TO RETAIN POWER — BUGAJE DEBUNKS OBASANJO’S THIRD TERM DENIAL
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By Shodayo Sunmisola Michael
The former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion of not advocating for a third term in office has been emphatically challenged by political activist and civil society leader, Dr. Usman Bugaje, who contended that the ex-president “did everything within his power” to prolong his tenure.
During a democracy dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana last week, Obasanjo dismissed the enduring third-term debate, stating: “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.”
In response on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Bugaje, who served in the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s administration, asserted that legislators at that time had direct awareness of the former president’s purported ambition.
“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 proclaimed.
“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.”
Bugaje recounted how certain lawmakers reportedly experienced coercion, citing Senator Victor Lar, who was then the leader of the Northern caucus of the House of Representatives, and who, according to him, had to conceal himself in various locations prior to a pivotal meeting convened to oppose the third-term proposal.
“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 emphasized.
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