Obasanjo denies third-term bid, warns African leaders against tenure elongation
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed claims that he ever sought a third term in office, insisting no Nigerian can truthfully accuse him of pursuing such an agenda.
Obasanjo made the remarks at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana.
He argued that while his administration achieved major milestones such as securing debt relief for Nigeria, which he described as more challenging than tenure extension, he never attempted to remain in power beyond constitutional limits.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” he said.
The former president further warned African leaders against clinging to power, describing the belief in one’s indispensability as a “sin against God.”
Also speaking at the event, former President Goodluck Jonathan cautioned that electoral manipulation poses a grave threat to democracy on the continent.
“Democracy in the African continent is going through a period of strain and risk of collapse unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform it.
Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa,” Jonathan said.
He stressed that credible elections remain the only safeguard against poor governance, noting that leaders who fail to deliver should be voted out if the process is free and fair.
The dialogue, attended by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, among others, highlighted the need to strengthen accountability, service, and discipline as pillars of democracy in Africa.