How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003 by Aremo Olusegun Osoba

Former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba has revealed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo deceived the Afenifere and Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders into supporting his re-election bid in 2003, only to betray their trust.

In his detailed recollection, Osoba said the political rapprochement with Obasanjo began after the president survived an impeachment attempt in the National Assembly. Seeking political stability, Obasanjo reached out to the six AD governors through then-Governor Bola Tinubu. A meeting was held at Dodan Barracks, where Obasanjo appealed for cooperation, citing looming national upheavals.

Osoba and his colleagues insisted any alliance required the approval of Afenifere leaders. A charter of demands was later presented to Obasanjo at his Ota farm, led by Chief Abraham Adesanya and other Yoruba elders. These demands included restructuring the federation, devolution of power, fiscal federalism, and a credible census.

Obasanjo, Osoba recalled, gave eloquent assurances on all fronts—supporting meritocracy through privatization, promising a credible census via satellite mapping, and respecting court judgments.

Encouraged, Afenifere and AD withheld presenting a presidential candidate and backed Obasanjo’s second term.

However, Osoba said they were “fooled.” “Obasanjo told us what we wanted to hear,” he stated, “but never meant any of it.”

Obasanjo reinforced his appeal by mobilizing royal fathers and Yoruba elites to pressure Osoba into supporting him. The Ooni of Ife, Alake of Egbaland, Oba of Lagos, and Awujale of Ijebuland all intervened. Even with deep reservations about Obasanjo’s character—highlighted by a past betrayal in 1979—Osoba reluctantly aligned with the president in the interest of democratic continuity.

Osoba revealed that despite public assurances, Obasanjo had no intention of holding fair elections. Just before the 2003 polls, intelligence surfaced about plans to rig the vote. In a tense final meeting with Obasanjo, Chief Adesanya accused him of plotting electoral fraud. Obasanjo denied it, swearing to conduct credible elections.

Reality proved otherwise. In Ogun State, Obasanjo allegedly won 1.36 million votes—far exceeding the total votes cast in the gubernatorial race. The courts later declared the results fraudulent, citing “violence, falsification, and official intimidation.”

“Despite the clear signs, we chose to believe him,” Osoba lamented. “Obasanjo betrayed us, rigged the elections, and dealt us a heavy blow. That was how he ‘stooped to conquer’ once again.”

This account, drawn from Osoba’s reflections, adds further context to one of Nigeria’s most controversial election cycles.