Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied allegations of seeking a third term in office, stating that he never pursued such a goal.
Speaking at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Obasanjo challenged anyone to provide evidence to support the claim.
His words: “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,” Obasanjo said.
Chief Obasanjo further emphasised that securing debt relief for Nigeria during his administration was a more significant challenge than any third-term ambition would have been.
Obasanjo dismissed allegations as baseless, asserting no one can prove he pursued a third term.
He also argued that securing debt relief was more difficult than amending the constitution for a third term, highlighting his administration’s achievements.
Obasanjo described the notion of indispensability as a “sin against God,” emphasizing the importance of leadership transition and humility.
Obasanjo called for urgent reforms to democracy in Africa, warning that the current practice is unsustainable.
He emphasised that democracy must be reformed in context, content, and practice to truly serve the people.
Obasanjo noted that democracy has drifted far from its original vision as “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
He stressed that democracy must be reformed to include all people, not just the majority, and that leaders who overstay their welcome are a “sin against God.”
