Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a startling allegation, claiming that his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, financed an impeachment plot against him with N5 million during Obasanjo’s first term in office.
Obasanjo made this accusation in response to remarks by Olusegun Osoba, the former governor of Ogun State, regarding the political dynamics leading up to the 2003 general elections.
In a statement, Obasanjo recounted that the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, was prompted to initiate impeachment proceedings after meeting with Atiku. “The impeachment process against me began in the Presidency, initiated by the Vice-President. On a Friday when I was not in the office, he invited Na’Abba to his office and convinced him—as he had convinced himself and a few others—that I should serve only one term as President,” Obasanjo stated.
He further alleged that Atiku provided financial backing for the impeachment effort, specifically handing Na’Abba N5 million to kick-start the process. “Atiku gave Na’Abba N5 million to begin his impeachment work. All of this was duly noted, recorded, and reported to me by my Chief of Staff, a professional intelligence officer,” Obasanjo added.
Despite the threat, Obasanjo said he remained unperturbed, asserting that there was no constitutional basis for his removal from office.
