Obasanjo to Osoba: ‘I didn’t deceive AD leaders in 2003’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly denied allegations made by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba. Osoba had claimed Obasanjo deceived leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) during political realignments before the 2003 general elections. Obasanjo, in a letter dated July 23, 2026, called Osoba's account "farfetched" and inaccurate. He insisted he never misled anyone and acted in good faith throughout his political career. Obasanjo took particular offense to the accusation of deceiving Yoruba political leaders, asserting that his engagements were always transparent and prioritized national interest. He stated, "I take strong and serious objection to your calling me a deceiver because I deceived nobody." He explained that Osoba was unaware of certain political developments preceding his 1999 presidential emergence because senior Afenifere and AD leaders handled them. Obasanjo recalled maintaining cordial relations with the late Afenifere leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya, despite Adesanya's stance against his candidacy. He also addressed Osoba's version of events surrounding the attempted impeachment of former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Na'Abba, claiming the plot originated within his administration and that he treated it with contempt as he had committed no impeachable offense. Regarding the 2003 elections, Obasanjo disputed Osoba's suggestion that the AD governors' defeat was due to presidential manipulation. He asserted that the losses were genuine, except in one state where figures were allegedly altered. Obasanjo reiterated his belief against tribal politics. Despite their political disagreements, Obasanjo acknowledged Osoba's contributions to Ogun State and the establishment of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, praising the land allocation for the project as a significant service.

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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.