Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouq Aliyu, has made claims about the third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He stated that he rejected N250 million offered to him to support the agenda. Aliyu also mentioned that the speaker of the House of Representatives at the time, Aminu Masari, rejected N400 million to support the bid. This agenda was a highly debated issue during Obasanjo's presidency from 1999 to 2007.
The third term agenda was a bill to amend Nigeria's constitution, allowing Obasanjo to run for a third successive term in office. In May 2006, the National Assembly rejected the bill. Obasanjo has consistently denied seeking a third term in office. However, Aliyu insisted that the third term agenda was real during a discussion on the 'Naija Unfiltered' podcast, published on YouTube on Friday.
According to Aliyu, Nuhu Ribadu, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the time, asked him to meet with Obasanjo in Abuja. Initially, Aliyu rejected Ribadu's request but later accepted to discuss the third term agenda. He claimed that during the meeting, he insisted that the move would not be successful. Aliyu was offered N250 million by someone Ribadu asked him to meet with, but he did not take it.
Aliyu also mentioned that Masari was offered N400 million, which he rejected. Additionally, lawmakers were offered a minimum of N50 million to support the agenda. He stated that Abdul Ningi, the majority leader at the time, was also offered N400 million but did not take it. Aliyu described the offers as attempts to sway lawmakers' opinions on the third term agenda.
The former minority leader mentioned that several prominent figures played key roles in thwarting the bid for a third term. These individuals included late Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. Their involvement ultimately contributed to the failure of the third term agenda.
The controversy surrounding Obasanjo's third term agenda remains a significant event in Nigeria's political history. The rejection of the bill by the National Assembly marked a crucial moment in the country's democratic development. Aliyu's claims provide further insight into the events that transpired behind the scenes during that period.
The discussion on the 'Naija Unfiltered' podcast has sparked renewed interest in the topic, with many Nigerians reflecting on the implications of the third term agenda. As the country continues to navigate its complex political landscape, understanding the intricacies of past events can provide valuable lessons for the future.
Key points
- Farouq Aliyu claims he and Aminu Masari rejected N650m to support Obasanjo's third term agenda.
- The third term agenda was a highly debated issue during Obasanjo's presidency from 1999 to 2007.
- The National Assembly rejected the bill for a third term in May 2006.
