The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, will not occupy the exalted seat of Nigerian President.
This is according to former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), as revealed by the former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi, titled: How to Win Elections in Nigeria.
The book examines the political intrigues surrounding the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Duke, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 election, recounted how Babangida warned ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
Duke served as Cross River governor from 1999 to 2007 and stated that the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku had become increasingly strained as the former president prepared to seek a second term in office.
According to him, Atiku’s political manoeuvres had raised concerns over his commitment to Obasanjo’s re-election bid and triggered intense discussions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Duke recalled that 10 governors, including himself, at one point met with Solomon Lar, then PDP national chairman, to discuss possible alternatives for the vice-presidential slot.
He said the development weighed heavily on Obasanjo, who later called him at night to complain about what he considered a betrayal by his deputy.
“I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,” Duke recalled.
He said the episode subsequently led to an unusual meeting at the Presidential Villa involving Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar.
According to Duke, Atiku had arranged the meeting between the former military leaders and Obasanjo.
Duke said Babangida reminded Obasanjo of agreements reached following his release from prison and argued that securing the support of northern political leaders for his second-term bid would be difficult.
Obasanjo reportedly asked whether that was their final position or whether there was room for further negotiations.
Babangida, according to Duke, replied that there was still room for discussions.
However, Duke said the most revealing moment came after the meeting appeared to have ended.
He recalled that as Babangida and the others were leaving Obasanjo’s private study, Babangida claimed he had forgotten his keys and asked Obasanjo to accompany him back inside.
According to Duke, Babangida then dropped his diplomatic tone and issued a blunt warning to Obasanjo.
“I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” Babangida reportedly told him.
Duke said that when the two men returned to the others, Babangida looked at Atiku before turning to Obasanjo and allegedly said: “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”
Duke said the encounter illustrated the depth of the distrust between Obasanjo and Atiku and showed how seriously their political differences were being discussed behind closed doors.
He said the experience also reinforced one of the lessons he learnt while in office: “Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics.”
Obasanjo and Atiku have maintained a strained relationship since serving together as president and vice-president between 1999 and 2007.
The former political allies have repeatedly exchanged allegations involving corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal.
Their dispute resurfaced recently after Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late Ghali Umar Na’Abba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term.
Obasanjo made the allegation while responding to comments by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba about political developments preceding the 2003 general election.
At a fireside chat with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos on August 1, Obasanjo also said he regretted choosing Atiku as his vice-president.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, subsequently accused Obasanjo of fabricating allegations against him to advance the political interests of his kinsman ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He also said he had no regrets about opposing Obasanjo’s bid for a third term in office, arguing that the former president remained bitter over his stance. (AriseNews TV)
