Obasanjo Denies Deceiving AD Leaders Ahead of 2003 Elections

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has rejected allegations by former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, that he deceived leaders of the defunct Alliance for Democracy during political negotiations ahead of the 2003 general elections.

In a letter dated July 23, titled Reply to Your Inaccurate Posture: “How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003”, Obasanjo described Osoba’s account as inaccurate, incomplete and based on misconceptions.

The former president strongly denied ever deceiving anyone, insisting that he had always presented political issues as he understood them, regardless of whose interests were affected.

Obasanjo also argued that many of the political discussions leading to his emergence as president in 1999 were conducted by senior Afenifere and Alliance for Democracy leaders and were therefore outside Osoba’s direct knowledge.

He defended his decision to seek cooperation between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Alliance for Democracy after assuming office, saying the move was aimed at promoting national unity rather than strengthening his political position.

Responding to claims surrounding the attempted impeachment of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, Obasanjo insisted the impeachment moves originated from within the National Assembly and not from any wrongdoing on his part.

He also dismissed allegations that the Presidency manipulated the outcome of the 2003 elections against Alliance for Democracy governors, maintaining that the results reflected the choices made by voters across the South West.

Despite their disagreement, Obasanjo acknowledged Osoba’s contributions to Ogun State and thanked him for allocating the land on which the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library was built, saying political differences should not overshadow meaningful contributions or long standing relationships.