Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has renewed his long-standing political dispute with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alleging that Atiku financed an attempt to impeach him during his first term in office by providing N5 million to the effort.
Obasanjo made the allegation while responding to comments by former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on the political events leading up to the 2003 general elections.
In a statement, the former president claimed that the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, was persuaded by Atiku to commence impeachment proceedings against him following a meeting held at the Vice President’s office.
According to Obasanjo, the meeting took place on a Friday when he was away from the Presidential Villa. He alleged that Atiku convinced Na’Abba that he should serve only one term as president.
“Na’Abba’s impeachment began at the presidency by the Vice-President, who on a Friday when I was out of the office, invited Na’Abba to his office and convinced him, as he had convinced himself and some others but of insignificant number, that I should have only one term as President,” Obasanjo said.
The former president further alleged that Atiku handed Na’Abba N5 million to facilitate the impeachment campaign.
“On the Friday, Atiku invited Na’Abba; he gave him N5 million to begin his impeachment work. It was all noted, recorded and reported to me by my Chief of Staff, a professional intelligence officer,” he alleged.
Obasanjo said the alleged plot was documented and brought to his attention by his Chief of Staff, whom he described as a professional intelligence officer.
Despite the impeachment moves, he said he remained unfazed because he believed there were no constitutional grounds for his removal from office.
The allegations revive one of Nigeria’s most notable political rivalries between Obasanjo and Atiku, whose relationship has remained turbulent since they served together in office, despite occasional reconciliation efforts.
