Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated that he never pursued a third term in office, firmly denying long-standing speculations about his political intentions during his presidency.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra on Wednesday, Obasanjo said he never lobbied for an extension of his constitutionally mandated two terms.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I knew how to go about it,” he said. “There’s no Nigerian living or dead who can claim I approached them for support.”
Obasanjo noted that securing international debt relief for Nigeria was a more complex task than extending his presidency would have been had he wanted it.
“People don’t understand how difficult it was to achieve debt relief,” he explained. “If I could pull that off, a third term would’ve been easy if that’s what I wanted.”
He cautioned against political leaders who see themselves as indispensable, calling such mindsets dangerous and egotistical.
“It’s a lie — and a sin against God — to think that without you, nothing works,” he said.
“If you’re gone today, someone will replace you. They may be better or worse, but someone will step in.”
Obasanjo also stressed the importance of youthful leadership, saying energy and idealism are critical to effective governance.
“The best time to lead is when you’re young, vibrant, and full of ideas,” he said. “You can’t lead effectively when you’re old and sluggish.”
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