The former president dismissed Osoba’s assertion that AD governors and Afenifere could dictate to his administration, recalling meetings with Papa Abraham Adesanya and Papa Onasanya. He insisted that bringing the PDP and AD into a national government was a strategic move driven by strength, not weakness, and aimed at national unity and progress. He described Osoba’s portrayal of events as a “gross underrating” of his leadership and political acumen.
Obasanjo also revealed that his then-vice president had initiated efforts to impeach Speaker Ghali Na’Abba and plotted a 2007 takeover with support from AD governors. He claimed the vice president had even given 5 million naira to begin impeachment campaigns. Despite these revelations, Obasanjo maintained that politics should be about ideas and national interest, not personal bitterness or enmity.
He acknowledged Osoba’s contribution to the establishment of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, calling it “the most significant landmark” in the city. Obasanjo concluded by reiterating that political disagreements should not breed hatred, and that national development should remain the ultimate goal. His response underscores the enduring influence of his leadership and the complexities of Nigeria’s political landscape during that era.
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