Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has recounted an encounter involving former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in which, according to him, Babangida warned Obasanjo against trusting his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
Duke’s account is contained in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines political developments and intrigues surrounding the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Duke, who served as Cross River governor between 1999 and 2007, recalled an informal gathering at the Presidential Villa in Abuja involving Babangida, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Obasanjo and Atiku.
According to him, what began as a meeting between former leaders eventually exposed the deepening tension between Obasanjo and Atiku as the former president prepared for his re-election bid in 2003.
Duke said Atiku’s political moves had raised concerns within the administration, with questions emerging over whether the vice-president would continue to support Obasanjo’s second-term ambition.
The disagreement, he said, became so serious that 10 governors, including himself, met with then National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Lar, to discuss possible alternatives for the vice-presidential position.
Duke said the development unsettled Obasanjo, who subsequently contacted him late at night to complain about what he perceived as betrayal by his deputy.
“I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,” Duke recalled.
He said the ensuing meeting at the Presidential Villa was arranged by Atiku, who invited Babangida and Abdulsalami to meet with Obasanjo.
During the meeting, Babangida reportedly reminded Obasanjo of agreements reached following the former president’s release from prison.
Duke said Babangida also warned that securing the support of northern political leaders for Obasanjo’s second-term bid would be difficult.
When Obasanjo asked whether the position was final or whether there was room for further negotiations, Babangida reportedly replied that discussions could still continue.
However, Duke said the most significant exchange occurred after the formal meeting appeared to have ended.
According to his account, Babangida told Obasanjo that he had forgotten his keys in the former president’s private study and asked him to accompany him back inside.
Duke said that, once they were alone, Babangida abandoned his diplomatic tone and reminded Obasanjo of his earlier warning about Atiku.
“I warned you not to trust your deputy,” Babangida was quoted as telling Obasanjo.
Duke further claimed that when the two men returned to the others, Babangida looked at Atiku before turning to Obasanjo and said: “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”
Duke said the incident demonstrated the depth of the political distrust between Obasanjo and Atiku during the period and offered an insight into the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring surrounding the 2003 presidential election.
Reflecting on his political experience, the former governor said the episode reinforced his belief that betrayal could have serious consequences in politics.
“Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics,” Duke said.
Obasanjo, Atiku’s long-running feud
The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku has remained strained since their years as president and vice-president, with both men subsequently making allegations against each other over political conduct and the management of government.
Their longstanding dispute resurfaced in July when Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term.
Obasanjo made the allegation while responding to comments by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba concerning political developments ahead of the 2003 general election.
The former president later reiterated his reservations about Atiku during a fireside conversation with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos on August 1.
Obasanjo said he regretted choosing Atiku as his running mate.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, rejected the allegations, accusing Obasanjo of fabricating claims against him for political reasons.
He argued that the former president’s continued criticism was linked to his opposition to Obasanjo’s controversial third-term bid while they were in office, insisting that he had no regrets about his position.
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