Political activist and former legislator, Dr. Usman Bugaje, has challenged former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claim that he never sought a third term in office, asserting that the ex-president “did everything within his power” to extend his tenure
Obasanjo, speaking last week at a democracy forum organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana, dismissed the long-running third-term allegations, saying:
“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.”
But on Monday, during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Bugaje, who served in the National Assembly under Obasanjo, insisted that lawmakers at the time were aware of attempts to push the agenda.
“I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for a third term. He did everything that he could within his power to get a third term, but he failed to do so,” Bugaje said.
He described Obasanjo’s defence as unpersuasive, noting that the ex-president’s representatives had intimidated several legislators.
“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 a 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 added.
Bugaje recalled how lawmakers, including Senator Victor Lar, then leader of the Northern caucus in the House of Representatives, were forced into hiding before critical sessions meant to resist the third-term push.
“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,” he emphasized.
The “third-term agenda” dominated Nigeria’s political discourse in 2006 when a proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution, which would have allowed presidents to serve three consecutive terms, was introduced in the National Assembly.
The move, widely believed to have been backed by Obasanjo’s allies as he neared the end of his second term, faced strong opposition from civil society, opposition parties, and even members of his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party. The amendment, which included other constitutional changes, was eventually rejected after intense debate.
Its failure ended speculation of a third term and set the stage for the 2007 elections, which brought late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to power.
Reports indicate that in his 2023 New Year message, Obasanjo reiterated his denial of lobbying for a third term, claiming he could have secured it if he wished.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara revealed that he rejected a N250 million bribe meant to sway support for the third-term plan. In a January 2024 interview on the YouTube series Untold Stories with Adesuwa, Wabara confirmed, “That’s very correct.”
Former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar also stated that his close ties with National Assembly members while serving as vice-president helped block Obasanjo’s third-term bid. Atiku noted that these relationships will be re-engaged with NASS members following his election as president.
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