By Kingston Magare 22.9.2025
Claims by former President Olusegun Obasanjo he never clamoured for a third term in office has been punctured by former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Usman Bugaje.
In a recent political outing in Accra Ghana, Obasanjo had denied ever scheming to extend his tenure, but Dr. Bugaje noted that it was on record that the Senate and House of Representatives refused to dance to his tone.
According to Dr. Usman Bugaje, Obasanjo and his agents “did everything within his power” to extend his stay.
“I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for a third term. He did everything that he could within his power to get a third term, but he failed to do so,” Bugaje said on Arise TV.
“Now, the fact that he did not take a telephone to make a particular call to anybody is not sufficient evidence that he did not look for a third term. It’s just a matter of style, but all of us in the National Assembly at that time knew beyond any doubt that he worked day and night, and many of us were threatened by his own agents,” he said.
Recalling one of the intimidations against lawmakers, Bugaje said Senator Victor Lar, then leader of the Northern caucus of the House of Representatives, was forced into hiding at different times before a decisive meeting to resist the third-term bid.
“Those people who actually distributed the money and threatened us are alive. Those who received the money are alive. Those who refused to receive the money are alive. There is sufficient evidence… This is a matter that is incontrovertible, there is no way he can deny it,” Bugaje stressed.
Obasanjo...