Kalu Accuses Obasanjo of Lying Over Third Term Bid

Former Abia State Governor and Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of lying about his alleged third term agenda, claiming that the United States government played a key role in stopping it.

Kalu made the allegation while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, where he dismissed Obasanjo’s recent comments in Ghana as “a naked lie” and “a naked fallacy.”

The senator criticised Obasanjo for attempting to rewrite history regarding his alleged third term ambition, insisting that several prominent Nigerians still alive could confirm what truly transpired.

“With due respect to President Obasanjo, what he said in Ghana was false. People like David Mark and Ogheha are still alive. Even the then National Security Adviser knew he was lying,” Kalu said.

He alleged that the former president’s loyalists had made financial offers to lawmakers to support the constitutional amendment that would have allowed Obasanjo a third term in office.

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“He offered ₦50 million to them. I told him to take it back,” Kalu claimed, referring to an incident involving the late former Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who allegedly brought the money to lobby for the plan.

Kalu said he personally informed former South African President Thabo Mbeki and former U.S. President George W. Bush about the plan, which led to foreign intervention against Obasanjo’s alleged agenda.

“I was the one who told Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Bush. They both called him. I also told Mandela about it. That was where my problem with him started,” he said.

The lawmaker claimed Obasanjo had attempted to persuade several governors, including President Bola Tinubu, to back the extension of his tenure, but some refused.

“Let President Obasanjo not annoy the gods of our land because he wanted a third term and they stopped him,” Kalu warned. “The beauty of democracy is term limit. Anyone who wants to go beyond eight years is challenging God.”

Kalu further alleged that the United States government was instrumental in ensuring the third term agenda did not succeed.

“Nigeria must be grateful to the United States of America, who stood for what was right and for the good of the nation,” he said.

He also accused Obasanjo of persecuting political opponents who refused to support the extension, including former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, who he said was removed for opposing the plan.

The former governor maintained that those who resisted the move acted in defence of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for a two-term limit for presidents.

“Our Constitution is the ultimate. We stopped him because of it,” Kalu insisted.

Kalu’s comments come after Obasanjo’s remarks in Ghana, where the former president dismissed claims that he ever sought a third term in office, a claim that continues to spark debate nearly two decades after he left power.