2003 poll: Obasanjo faults Osoba, accuses Atiku of impeachment plot

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly refuted claims made by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba concerning the political events leading up to the 2003 general elections. In a statement titled "Reply to Your Inaccurate Posture: ‘How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003’," Obasanjo described Osoba's account as inaccurate and far-fetched, asserting that he never deceived the leadership of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

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I take strong and serious objection to your calling me a deceiver because I deceived nobody. I always presented my case and all issues as I had them and as I understood them, no matter whose ox is gored.

Obasanjo also leveled serious accusations against his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. He alleged that Abubakar sponsored an impeachment plot against him during his first term and secretly collaborated with political figures to undermine his re-election bid in 2003. These revelations shed light on the intricate political maneuvering that characterized Nigeria's Fourth Republic.

Taking "strong and serious objection" to Osoba's characterization of him as a deceiver, Obasanjo maintained his consistent approach to political dealings. He argued that Osoba lacked full knowledge of several sensitive political engagements between Obasanjo and the leadership of Afenifere and the AD, suggesting that these matters were handled by senior figures within the Yoruba political movement.

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There were issues you did not know or understand because, as you pointed out, they were above your head. They were handled by your elders in Alliance for Democracy and Afenifere.

Furthermore, Obasanjo defended the results of the contentious 2003 governorship elections in the South-West, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in five of the six states previously controlled by the AD. He asserted that the AD governors' defeats accurately mirrored the sentiments of the voters. Obasanjo alleged that in one instance, election results were "successfully and murderously changed," while also claiming Osoba's campaign was lackluster and that Osoba had apologized to Ogun residents for his "arrogant disposition" during a televised appearance.

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Your loss or defeat in 2003 was genuine in all the six states except the one where the figures were successfully and murderously changed.

Obasanjo also detailed Abubakar's alleged role in masterminding an impeachment plot through the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, the late Ghali Na’Abba.

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From information that reached me from the political field, you barely campaigned, and at the tail end of the campaign, you went on TV to apologise to the people for your arrogance and informed them that the starch in your agbada caused your arrogant appearance.