‘He Cannot Rule Nigeria’ – IBB’s Warning to Obasanjo Over Atiku

‘He Cannot Rule Nigeria’ – IBB’s Warning to Obasanjo Over Atiku
Babangida reportedly questioned Atiku’s ability to rule Nigeria.
Duke says the incident highlighted political betrayal and mistrust.

Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has recounted how former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, privately warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Duke’s account is contained in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi titled How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines political developments and intrigues surrounding the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Duke, who governed Cross River State between 1999 and 2007, described a tense encounter involving Babangida, former military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Obasanjo and Atiku at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Duke, the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku had deteriorated significantly as the former president prepared for his second term.

He said Atiku’s political activities had raised concerns over whether the then Vice President remained committed to Obasanjo’s re election bid.

The disagreement eventually became a major issue within the Peoples Democratic Party, with some party leaders considering alternatives to Atiku for the vice presidential position.

Duke recalled that 10 governors, including himself, held discussions with the then PDP National Chairman, Solomon Lar, over possible replacements for the Vice President.

The development, he said, deeply concerned Obasanjo, who later called him on the telephone at night to complain about what he considered a betrayal by his deputy.

Duke recalled, “I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning.”

He said the situation later resulted in an unusual meeting at the Presidential Villa after Atiku reportedly arranged for Babangida and Abdulsalami to meet with Obasanjo.

During the meeting, Babangida reminded Obasanjo of political understandings reached following the former president’s release from prison.

He also reportedly told Obasanjo that securing the support of influential northern politicians for his second term would be difficult.

Duke said Obasanjo asked whether the position was final or if there was still room for negotiations.

According to the former governor, Babangida indicated that discussions could continue.

Duke said the most significant part of the meeting occurred after the formal discussions appeared to have ended.

He recalled that Babangida claimed he had left his keys in Obasanjo’s private study and asked the former president to accompany him inside.

According to Duke, once the two men were alone, Babangida abandoned the diplomatic tone of the earlier discussion and gave Obasanjo a direct warning about Atiku.

Babangida reportedly told Obasanjo, “I warned you not to trust that your deputy.”

Duke further recalled that when they returned to the others, Babangida looked at Atiku before turning to Obasanjo and allegedly said, “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”

‘He Cannot Rule Nigeria’ – IBB’s Warning to Obasanjo Over Atiku

According to Duke, the incident reflected the level of mistrust that had developed between Obasanjo and Atiku and how their political differences had become a subject of discussion among influential political figures.

Reflecting on the episode, Duke said the experience reinforced a major lesson from his years in political office.

He said, “Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics.”