Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River, has shared his account of how Ibrahim Babangida, ex-military head of state, warned former president Olusegun Obasanjo about Atiku Abubakar, his then deputy.
Duke served as governor of Cross River from 1999 to 2007.
His account is contained in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi titled ‘How to Win Elections in Nigeria’, which details the intrigues that characterised the early years of Nigeria’s fourth republic.
Duke recounted how an informal meeting of some past leaders at the presidential villa in Abuja, involving Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state; Obasanjo, and Atiku turned into a tense encounter.
He said the meeting culminated in a blunt, unforgettable warning from Babangida that would alter the course of their political alliance.
According to Duke, the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku had become increasingly strained as the president prepared to seek a second term.
Atiku, he said, was making moves that raised concerns about whether he would continue to support Obasanjo’s re-election bid.
The growing tension, as captured in the book, eventually became a major political issue within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Duke recalled that at one point, 10 governors, including himself, met with Solomon Lar, then-PDP national chairman, to discuss possible alternatives for the vice-presidential slot.
The situation, he said, weighed heavily on Obasanjo.
Duke said he remembered receiving a late-night call from the president, who complained about what he saw as betrayal by his deputy.
“I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,” Duke recalled.
What followed was an unusual meeting at the presidential villa.
According to Duke, Atiku had arranged for Babangida and Abdulsalami to meet with Obasanjo.
‘I WARNED YOU NOT TO TRUST YOUR DEPUTY’
During the meeting, Babangida reportedly reminded Obasanjo of agreements that had been reached following his release from prison.
He also argued that convincing northern political leaders to support Obasanjo’s second-term bid would be difficult.
Obasanjo, Duke said, asked whether that was their final position or whether there was still room for negotiation.
Babangida reportedly said there was still room for further discussions.
But according to Duke, the most revealing moment came after the meeting appeared to have ended.
He noted that as the men were leaving Obasanjo’s private study, Babangida said he had forgotten his keys inside and asked Obasanjo to walk back with him.
As both men walked back alone, Babangida allegedly dropped his diplomatic tone and delivered a blunt warning.
“I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” he told Obasanjo.
And when they returned to the others, Babangida looked at Atiku before turning back to Obasanjo.
“This one cannot rule Nigeria,” he allegedly said.
Duke said the encounter offered a glimpse into just how deep the distrust between Obasanjo and Atiku had become, and how seriously the political struggle was being discussed behind closed doors.
He added that the episode also reinforced one of the lessons he learnt from his time in office which is that, “betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics”.
BACKGROUND
Obasanjo and Atiku have endured a frosty relationship since their stint at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs.
Both men have repeatedly traded corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal accusations.
The verbal exchanges took a fresh dimension on July 24 after Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late Ghali Umar Na’Abba, former speaker of the house of representatives, N5 million to begin impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office.
Obasanjo made the allegation while responding to comments by Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun, on the political developments that preceded the 2003 general election.
Speaking on August 1 during a fireside chat with Charles Oputa, the activist popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos, Obasanjo reiterated his strong reservations about Atiku, saying he regretted picking him as his vice-president.
Reacting, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate accused the ex-president of fabricating allegations against him to favour his kinsman ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku said Obasanjo was only being bitter because he stood against his third-term agenda while they were in office, adding that he has no regrets for his actions.
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