Battle of the Egba Titans: Fresh Facts Emerge on Obasanjo, Osoba Feud

A long-standing dispute between former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba has resurfaced, centering on the circumstances surrounding the 2003 general election. The conflict was reignited by the republication of excerpts from Osoba's autobiography, 'Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics,' titled 'How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003.' In these excerpts, Osoba accuses Obasanjo of persuading the Afenifere leadership and Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors to support his re-election with broken promises.

Obasanjo has issued a strong rebuttal, denying Osoba's account and asserting that the former governor lacked complete knowledge of the discussions. The exchange revives the debate over whether the AD governors were victims of political betrayal or if their defeat stemmed from poor political judgment and declining popularity. The timing of this renewed hostility is considered politically significant, with many linking it to the failure of Obasanjo's daughter, former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket in Ogun State.

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How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003

Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello reportedly joined the APC with aspirations for the governorship but resigned after Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola emerged as the party's consensus candidate. She cited exclusion and disrespect from the APC leadership. Sources indicate Obasanjo was displeased by his daughter's lack of a gubernatorial or deputy gubernatorial ticket. However, APC leaders in Ogun State argued that Obasanjo had no moral standing to promote his daughter's ambition within the party, given his support for a rival presidential ticket. Iyabo subsequently rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and secured the senatorial ticket for Ogun Central. Her departure from the APC led to public disagreement, with Adeola accusing her of demanding campaign expense reimbursement, a claim Iyabo denied.

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