I could have gotten third term if I wanted it — Obasanjo
Story by Jessica Mbamah
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed claims that he sought to extend his time in office beyond the constitutional two terms, saying there is no evidence to support such speculation.
Obasanjo, who governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, made the remarks on Wednesday in Accra during the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.
He said suggestions that he plotted a third term in office were unfounded, insisting that no Nigerian could truthfully say he had ever discussed such an ambition.
“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.
The former president further argued that his successful effort to secure debt relief for Nigeria during his administration was a far greater challenge than obtaining an extra term in office.
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“I keep telling them that, look, if I wanted to get debt relief, which is more difficult than getting a third term and I got it, if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he added.
Obasanjo also used the forum to caution African leaders against clinging to power, warning that overstaying in office reflects a dangerous belief that they are indispensable.
He noted that leadership is best exercised when leaders are vibrant and dynamic, not when they are old and frail, stressing that God can replace anyone at any time.
“They will even tell you that they haven’t got anybody else. I believe that that is a sin against God, because if God takes you away, which God can do anytime, then somebody else will come, and that somebody else may do better or may do worse,” Obasanjo said.
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