Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has again denied claims that he ever sought a third term in office, firmly stating he had no intention to remain in power beyond the constitutional two terms.
Obasanjo made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana.
“There’s no living or dead Nigerian who can say I approached them to support a third term agenda,” he declared. “I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I would have known how to go about it.”
He emphasized that achieving debt relief for Nigeria during his tenure was far more difficult than securing a term extension, yet he succeeded in the former. “I tell people, if I could get debt relief, which was harder than getting a third term, then getting a third term wouldn’t have been a problem if I truly wanted it.”
Obasanjo also issued a strong warning to leaders who cling to power, saying the idea that no one else can lead is both dangerous and misguided. “The best leadership often comes from those who are young, energetic, and dynamic. But some leaders believe they’re the only ones capable. That mindset is wrong.”
He concluded by saying that refusing to leave office when one’s time is up is akin to playing God. “When people say they have no successor, I consider it a sin against God. Because if God takes you away today, someone else will lead and may even do better.”
