Former Edo State Governor and Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has reignited claims about late former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s alleged third-term ambition, saying the ex-leader had hoped to entrench himself as a life president similar to Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.
Oshiomhole said it took the resolve of the National Assembly, under then-Senate President Ken Nnamani, to block Obasanjo’s bid to alter the constitution and extend his stay in power beyond two terms.
Speaking in Akure, Ondo State, during a lecture titled “June 12 and Beyond: Reflecting on the Progress of Democracy and Security Concerns” held to mark this year’s June 12 Democracy Day, Oshiomhole praised Nnamani for standing against the pressure despite belonging to the same party as Obasanjo.
He noted that the Senate leadership at the time ensured the proceedings were televised, making every lawmaker publicly accountable for their position on the matter.
“By his decision to stand firm, to resist the pressure from President Obasanjo to do a third term, and maybe to become a life president, we will all celebrate him for that. So every leader at any level, what we do, what we obtain from doing, will be remembered,” Oshiomhole said.
He added that the National Assembly deserved credit for defending democracy, noting that televising the debate ensured every senator’s vote was open to public scrutiny.
On a related note, Oshiomhole disclosed that late military dictator General Sani Abacha had been willing to grant Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola virtually anything in exchange for giving up his claim to the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate — widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
He said this emerged during a meeting he attended as part of a Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) delegation that visited Abacha in Abuja after the election was annulled.
“General Abacha told us he was ready to tolerate anything and do anything for MKO Abiola. The one thing he was not ready to tolerate was the idea that Abiola had proclaimed himself President of Nigeria,” Oshiomhole quoted Abacha as saying.
According to him, despite sustained pressure and several attempts by intermediaries to get Abiola to renounce his mandate in exchange for freedom, the late politician refused to budge.
“He told those who sent us that he was elected President of Nigeria and would not sell the mandate entrusted to him by the Nigerian people,” Oshiomhole said.
He said Abiola’s refusal stemmed from his sense of duty to the Nigerians — market women, farmers, students, and workers — who had sacrificed to vote for him.
“Those market women, farmers, students, and workers who queued to vote for him made sacrifices. He felt he could not monetise or compromise their sweat by accepting any condition other than the recognition of their mandate,” he said.
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