DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Obasanjo's Fury: Ex-President Denies Third Term Bid, Throws Book at Author

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo reacted angrily to accusations of seeking a third term in office.
  • The author presented Obasanjo with a book critical of his alleged tenure extension scheme.
  • Obasanjo denied seeking a third term and demanded evidence, despite the book's content.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo reacted with fury when presented with a book that includes critical essays on his alleged third term agenda. The author, Eniola Bello, visited Obasanjo at his presidential library in Abeokuta to present a copy of his two-volume work, "Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999-2023)".

When did I ask for a third term?

— Olusegun ObasanjoFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo's reaction upon being presented with a book critical of his alleged third term agenda.

Bello had hoped that 20 years after the controversial tenure extension scheme, Obasanjo would be less volatile about criticism. However, upon entering Obasanjo's office, the former president immediately demanded proof of any third term requests. "Show me the evidence of where or when I said I wanted a third term," Obasanjo bellowed, his face contorted in anger and his hands raised as he threw the book.

Show me the evidence of where or when I said I wanted a third term.

— Olusegun ObasanjoFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo's demand for proof regarding accusations of seeking a third term.

The book's second volume contains essays critical of the third term agenda, which Bello describes as having negatively defined the Obasanjo administration more than any other policy. Despite Obasanjo's vehement denial and aggressive reaction, Bello remained calm, observing the former president's visible anger and violent response with amusement and confusion.

Show me.

— Olusegun ObasanjoFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo's emphatic assertion during a confrontation about his alleged third term campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog