Obasanjo Denies Third Term Ambition, Warns Leaders Against Clinging to Power

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated that he never attempted to extend his stay in office beyond two terms, dismissing long-standing claims of a third term agenda.

Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Obasanjo said no Nigerian, living or dead, could truthfully claim that he sought their support for a tenure extension.

“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” he said.

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The former president argued that his administration’s debt relief achievement was a far greater challenge than pursuing a third term.

“If I could secure debt relief, which was harder than getting a third term, then if I wanted it, I would have achieved it as well,” he added.

Obasanjo cautioned leaders against overstaying in power, noting that governance suffers when leaders cling to office.

“The best leadership comes when you are young, vibrant, and dynamic. When you are weak and frail, you cannot give your best. Yet some believe that unless they are in power, no one else can govern. That, I believe, is a sin against God,” he said.

Also speaking at the dialogue, former President Goodluck Jonathan warned that democracy in Africa faced serious risks unless electoral systems were reformed to ensure credibility and inclusiveness.

“Democracy in Africa is going through a period of strain and risk of collapse unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats,” Jonathan said.

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He emphasised that leaders who fail to deliver should be removed through credible elections.

“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them,” he noted.

Jonathan added that meeting citizens’ expectations was crucial for the survival of democracy on the continent.

“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education, security, healthcare, jobs, and dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned,” he said.

The event also featured the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who both stressed that democracy must transcend elections to embrace accountability, service, and discipline.