Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has recalled how former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, allegedly warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar, during the political crisis preceding the 2003 presidential election.
Duke made the revelation in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines political intrigues and developments during the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
According to Duke, relations between Obasanjo and Atiku had become increasingly strained as Obasanjo prepared to seek re-election in 2003.
He said Atiku’s political activities at the time had fuelled concerns within the Peoples Democratic Party that the then vice-president might not fully support Obasanjo’s bid for a second term.
Duke recalled that about 10 governors, including himself, met with the then PDP national chairman, Solomon Lar, to discuss possible alternatives to Atiku as Obasanjo’s running mate.
The development, he said, angered and troubled Obasanjo, who later contacted him late at night to express his disappointment over what he considered a betrayal by his deputy.
Duke said he urged Obasanjo to remain calm and promised to travel to Abuja the following morning.
According to him, the political tension eventually led to a meeting at the Presidential Villa involving Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida and another former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Duke said Atiku had facilitated the meeting in an attempt to ease the growing rift between him and Obasanjo.
During the discussion, Babangida reportedly reminded Obasanjo of certain political understandings reached following his release from prison and suggested that securing the backing of northern political leaders for his re-election could prove difficult.
Obasanjo, according to Duke, asked whether the position was final or whether there was still room for negotiation. Babangida reportedly replied that discussions could continue.
However, Duke said the most significant exchange occurred after the formal meeting had ended.
According to him, Babangida claimed he had forgotten his keys in Obasanjo’s private study and asked the former president to accompany him back into the room.
It was during that private moment, Duke alleged, that Babangida issued a direct warning to Obasanjo.
“I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” Babangida reportedly told him.
Duke further claimed that after the two men returned to the meeting, Babangida looked at Atiku before allegedly telling Obasanjo, “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”
The former governor said the incident reflected the deep mistrust that had developed between Obasanjo and Atiku and demonstrated the extent to which their political differences were being discussed among influential figures at the time.
He added that the experience reinforced one of the major lessons he learnt during his years in politics: “Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics.”
Obasanjo, Atiku’s long-running feud
Obasanjo and Atiku have maintained a troubled political relationship since serving together as president and vice-president between 1999 and 2007.
Their disagreements have over the years been marked by allegations and counter-allegations bordering on corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal.
The dispute resurfaced recently after Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office.
Obasanjo made the allegation on July 24 while responding to comments by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba about political developments leading up to the 2003 general election.
The former president later repeated his criticism of Atiku during a fireside chat with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos on August 1, where he said he regretted choosing Atiku as his vice-president.
Atiku, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, rejected the allegations and accused Obasanjo of making false claims against him for political reasons ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The former vice-president argued that Obasanjo’s continued criticism was connected to his opposition to the former president’s controversial third-term ambition while they were in office.
Atiku has maintained that he has no regrets about opposing the alleged third-term agenda.
