Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed how he scuttled the alleged undemocratic bid of his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to foist himself on Nigerians as a third – term or life President, but the elder statesman had denied this many times, saying if he wanted a 3rd term, he would have gotten it.
However, Atiku who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, said that his intimate relationship with National Assembly members when he was second in command to Obasanjo stopped the former President’s third-term bid.
He said the relationship made it possible for and some NASS members to stop Obasanjo’s third-term agenda, stressing, he was eager to re-kindle that same relationship with the NASS hopefuls after his election as president, along with their own successful election.
According to him, this would enable them better function and deepen the nation’s democracy.
According to Punch, the PDP presidential candidate made the remarks at the 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation Strategic Engagement Meeting with National Assembly candidates on Sunday night in Abuja.
He stated, “During my tenure as vice-president, I developed a very intimate relationship with members of the National Assembly and it was that relationship that enabled us to stop the third-term or the life Presidency attempt by President Obasanjo.
“I really look forward to re-engaging you as you return to the National Assembly for your functions from the constitution, and to further deepen democracy development and progress of our nation.”
Lamenting the current security and economic situation, the former vice-president said, “Our nation has found itself in one of the most challenging times in the history of this country. Now, we are more divided than ever, because of the activities and the policies of the current APC government. Likewise our security situation has gone from bad to worse, and our economy is in shambles.”
He pointed out that the challenges facing the people and the executive arm were enormous, such that, “we must work together to take out the country from its present predicament and malaise.”
The meeting, which later went into a private session, resolved as their covenant with Nigerians to reduce the cost of governance, through improving citizens’ oversight and a strong emphasis on curbing waste and cost reduction.
