In an interview on SYMFONI, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo addressed long-standing speculations about his alleged interest in seeking a third term in office.
He firmly dismissed the claims, stating that such accusations were baseless and not backed by any evidence.
Obasanjo explained that during his time in office, he was often accused of plotting to extend his tenure beyond the constitutional limit, but he maintained that he never entertained the idea nor approached anyone about it.
“I know you’ve been listening that I wanted a third time. I think I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third, if I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there’s no Nigerian dead or alive that will say I call him, I told him I wanted the third time,” he declared.
The former president emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution was clear on term limits, and he had no intention of undermining democratic principles by pushing for an unconstitutional extension.
According to him, his focus while in power was on laying a foundation for national growth and strengthening democratic institutions rather than pursuing personal ambition.
Obasanjo noted that such rumors often stemmed from political opponents and commentators who either misunderstood his reforms or deliberately misrepresented his actions for political gain.
He described the speculation as unnecessary distractions from the real issues of governance and national development.
Reflecting on his legacy, Obasanjo stressed that he was satisfied with the contributions he made to Nigeria during his two terms in office and was more concerned about the progress of the nation than his personal political future.
Leave a Reply