Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has recounted how former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, allegedly cautioned ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar, during the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Duke, who governed Cross River State between 1999 and 2007, shared the account in Seun Oloketuyi’s new book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines the political intrigues surrounding the formative years of the Fourth Republic.
According to Duke, tensions between Obasanjo and Atiku intensified as the former president prepared for his bid for a second term in office.
He said concerns had emerged over Atiku’s commitment to Obasanjo’s re-election campaign, prompting political manoeuvring within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over possible alternatives for the vice-presidential position.
Duke recalled that 10 governors, including himself, had met with the then PDP national chairman, Solomon Lar, to consider possible replacements for Atiku.
The development, he said, deeply unsettled Obasanjo, who later contacted him by telephone during the night to express his frustration over what he regarded as betrayal by his deputy.
“I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,” Duke recalled.
Duke said the incident subsequently led to an unusual gathering at the presidential villa involving Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida and former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
He explained that Atiku had facilitated the meeting between the former military leaders and Obasanjo as efforts continued to resolve the political differences surrounding the 2003 presidential election.
Babangida’s private warning
Duke said Babangida reminded Obasanjo of agreements reached following his release from prison and expressed doubts about the possibility of securing the support of northern political leaders for Obasanjo’s second-term bid.
According to him, Obasanjo sought to know whether the position was final or whether there was still an opportunity for further discussions.
Duke said Babangida responded that negotiations could still continue.
However, he recalled that the most striking part of the encounter occurred after the formal discussion had apparently ended.
Duke said Babangida claimed he had left his keys in Obasanjo’s private study and asked the former president to accompany him back inside.
According to Duke, once the two men were alone, Babangida abandoned the diplomatic tone of the earlier discussion and issued a direct warning to Obasanjo.
“I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” he told Obasanjo.
Duke further recalled that, upon rejoining the others, Babangida looked at Atiku before turning to Obasanjo and making another blunt remark.
“This one cannot rule Nigeria,” he allegedly said.
Duke said the episode illustrated the depth of the political distrust between Obasanjo and Atiku at the time and showed the extent to which their strained relationship had become a subject of concern among influential political figures.
Reflecting on the experience, Duke said one of the lessons he took away from his years in public office was that, “betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics”.
The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku has remained contentious since their time as president and vice-president, with both men exchanging allegations of corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal over the years.
The dispute resurfaced prominently on July 24 when Obasanjo alleged that Atiku had given the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term.
Obasanjo made the claim while reacting to comments by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba concerning political events leading up to the 2003 general election.
The former president later reiterated his reservations about Atiku during a fireside conversation with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos on August 1.
Obasanjo said he regretted choosing Atiku as his running mate.
Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, subsequently accused the former president of making false allegations against him in an attempt to advance the political interests of his kinsman ahead of the 2027 election.
He maintained that Obasanjo’s continued criticism stemmed from his opposition to the former president’s third-term bid while they were in office, insisting that he had no regrets over his actions.
(The CABLE)
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