Obasanjo Lied — He Told Me He Wanted Third Term — Orji Uzor Kalu
In a fresh political salvo, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has publicly accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of falsehood, insisting that Obasanjo personally confided in him a desire to serve a third term in office. The claim comes in response to Obasanjo’s recent denial of any such ambition.
🔍 What Kalu Says
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kalu described Obasanjo’s public denial as a “naked lie” and a “naked fallacy,” arguing that many contemporaries from that era are still alive and could corroborate what he says.
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He alleged that during Obasanjo’s administration, he (Kalu) was invited to the Presidential Villa, where the third-term proposal was discussed. Kalu claimed that Senator Uche Chukwumerije brought ₦50 million to be distributed among governors to support the move, and that he was asked whether he would accept such bribe. He says he refused.
Kalu claims his fallout with Obasanjo began after he opposed the agenda and even alerted foreign leaders — including Presidents Thabo Mbeki (South Africa) and George W. Bush — and others, that Obasanjo was plotting extension of his tenure.
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He also asserted that Obasanjo’s recent remark in Ghana — “I never wanted third term and would not have told anyone I wanted it” — is “a lie” and misrepresentation of history.
⚖ Obasanjo’s Denial
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In a statement during a democracy dialogue in Accra, Obasanjo denied ever seeking or wanting a third term. He said there is no Nigerian dead or alive who can claim he told them he wanted a third term, adding that he is not a fool and would have done things differently if he had such aim.
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He maintains that if any attempt was made during his time to extend tenure limits, it originated in the National Assembly and not from him directly.
📆 Political & Historical Context
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The so-called “Third Term Agenda” was a controversial effort during the mid-2000s to amend Nigeria’s constitution to permit a former president to seek a third term. That proposal met stiff resistance from lawmakers, civil society, and the public, and ultimately failed.
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Obasanjo has long denied involvement in that agenda, while others (like former Senate President Ken Nnamani) have claimed he confided in them about it.
The debate over tenure extension remains a sensitive memory in Nigeria’s democracy — bringing back questions about checks and balances, executive encroachment, and the sanctity of constitutional limits.
🧭 What to Watch For
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Will Obasanjo respond directly to Kalu’s claims, with detailed counter-evidence or witnesses?
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Will any surviving political actors from that era confirm or deny Kalu’s account?
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How this affects historical narratives: which version becomes dominant in public memory and political discourse.
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Implications for current political actors: the allegation revives debates about power consolidation, constitutional limits, and political moral squares.
✅ Conclusion
Orji Kalu’s accusations reopen a chapter many thought closed: whether a former president, once denied extension, actually desired it behind closed doors. His claim that Obasanjo lied — that he once said he wanted a third term — is bold, grounded in personal testimony and indirect references to contemporaries. Whether it stands up depends on corroboration, historical record, and how both sides handle the controversy from here.
👉 For updates, counter-replies, and investigative deep dives, check out more on my blog.
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