Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president, has denied long-standing claims that he ever attempted to serve more than the two terms allowed by the constitution.
Recall that from 1999 to 2007, Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s leader.
Obasanjo said that no Nigerian, living or dead, could provide proof that he ever advocated for a third term during his remarks on Wednesday at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana.
“I don’t think I’m a fool,” he said. I know how to go about getting it if I wanted it or someone thought I did. And no Nigerian, living or dead, will claim that I phoned him and expressed my desire for a third term. Not one.
The former president contended that if he had really desired a third term, he could have achieved it if he had been able to win debt relief for Nigeria, which he regarded as a much more challenging accomplishment.
“Look, I keep telling them that if I wanted debt relief, which is harder than getting a third term, and I got it, I would have gotten a third term too,” he remarked.
One of the most notable accomplishments of Obasanjo’s government is the $18 billion debt relief deal that Nigeria obtained from the Paris Club in 2005.
Additionally, Obasanjo cautioned against leaders who believe they are indispensable, calling such an attitude a “sin against God.”
Some people think that no one else will be there unless they are. They’ll even claim that they don’t have anyone else. It is a sin against God, in my opinion, because if God takes you away—which He can do at any time—someone else will come, and that person might do better or worse,” Obasanjo stated.
The 87-year-old elder statesman emphasized that young, energetic, and dynamic leaders are the most effective.
“I am aware that you perform at your best when you are young, ideal, energetic, and dynamic. “You don’t have the best when you are ‘kuje kuje’ (weak or frail),” he remarked.
According to reports, Obasanjo’s remarks coincide with continuing discussions about autocratic rulers and constitutional manipulation to prolong presidential terms throughout Africa.
