In his latest book titled My Watch scheduled to be launched in Lagos this morning, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has chronicled the genesis of the uneasy relationship between him and his former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as well as how his aides planted moles within Atiku’s camp to monitor him.

Obasanjo, who denied ever seeking Third Term in office, blamed Atiku for what he described as a campaign of calumny against him on the issue after buying up the media.

From Obasanjo’s account, it would seem that his relationship with Atiku began on a sour note:

“By the Constitution, I had to inaugurate or prorogue the National Assembly on June 4, 1999. The most important officer in the National Assembly is the senate president and that office had been zoned to the South-east. And here was where Atiku Abubakar, my vice-president, first showed his hand and his character.

“Without seeking my view or approval, he started planning the installation of Chuba Okadigbo as the senate president. I did a background check on Chuba including his past as a student and made enquiries about him in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) under (President Shehu) Shagari and no one would recommend him for the post of senate president.

“I left Atiku to go on his chase while I carried out a meticulous and detailed investigation and background check on each senator from the South-east. The one that appeared most appointable was Evan Enwerem. I canvassed the senate across the board for his election and he was elected. Atiku did not expect it and he felt sore.

“He began to strategise for Enwerem to be removed and Chuba Okadigbo to be installed. His strategy worked because I was at Abuja airport to receive a visiting head of state when the news reached me that the Senate had impeached Enwerem and elected Okadigbo. I was not perturbed. I came to understand from some senators including Florence Ita-Giwa, who later became my Special Adviser/ Liaison Officer to the National Assembly, that Atiku distributed US$5,000 each to some senators to carry out the ‘coup’.

“That was the beginning of bribing the legislature to carry out a particular line of action to suit or satisfy the purpose or desire of an individual or a group. The National Assembly had tasted blood and they would continue to want more. From the day I nominated Atiku to be my vice, he set his mind not for any good, benefit or service of the country, but on furiously planning to upstage, supplant or remove me at all cost and to take my place.

“That was what I brought him for, but he was impatient and over-ambitious. He was not ready to learn and to wait. His marabout, who predicted that despite being elected as governor, he would not be sworn in as a governor, which happened, also assured him that he would take over from me in a matter of months rather than years.

“All his plans, appointments of people and his actions were towards the actualisation of his marabout’s prediction. Once I realised his intention and programme, I watched him like a hawk without giving any indication of what I knew and letting down my guard. I could not succumb to the distraction, diversion and malevolence of an ambitious but unwise deputy.

“The work in hand was more important than a confrontational relationship with my deputy, a man over whom I knew I had far more experience and outreach in all matters. To alert him of what I knew he was up to, would only lead to lying, denial, more mischievous plans and more duplicity on his part.

“He was better managed that way. What was important was not allowing myself to be surprised or outmanoeuvred by him. I must always seize the initiative and know what was going on if not in his mind, but at least in his camp. That I did very effectively.

“Sometime in the fourth quarter of 2004, an associate of Atiku came to my residence at the Aso Villa from Atiku’s official residence. He felt uncomfortable and I tried to make him feel at ease. Then, he settled to tell me the story of what had just transpired in Atiku’s residence. I listened with rapt attention.

“He went on to say that Atiku told him that for him to become the President of Nigeria, the 2007 elections were only a formality.

“The seven ingredients he needed for his enthronement were already in his hands. He controlled the National Assembly because both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were in his pocket. He controlled twenty-eight out of thirty-six governors. He had control of the media. His influence over the judiciary was overwhelming.

“What he needed was foreign endorsement and for that he had employed two lobby groups in the US and one in the UK. And finally, the money for the elections was in his purse.

“When the man finished, I thanked him without passing any comment. The man was surprised at my reaction and asked, ‘You have nothing to say to these?’ I said that I had nothing to say and I immediately called my ADC, Chris Jemitola, to play a game of squash with me.

“On our way to the squash court with my ADC, I said, ‘People at times make plans and leave God out of their plans.’ My casual remark struck Chris and he said, ‘Sir, that was a profound statement.’ I said that I made the statement because of what I had just heard of Atiku’s plan. I was not convinced he had put God in his plans.

“Atiku was confident and God was laughing. Most of Atiku’s ingredients soon started to fall out of place one by one. The first was the party, PDP.

“He thought I was powerless and had no clue about the execution of his plan with his group; part of his attack on me was for national chairman of the party to give the first salvo, then other things would follow as his grip on the party would be firm and consolidated.

“That salvo came in the form of a letter to me from the chairman of the party, Audu Ogbeh, who had fully defected with (Iyorchia) Ayu to Atiku.

“The letter, which was not the product of any issue or matter discussed with or at any party meeting, came suddenly. When I received it, I could read the sinister intention behind it.

“I spent that night writing my reply and I sent it in the morning. My reply was clear. I wondered why Atiku and his group did not realise that with my reply, the battle line was clear or maybe they thought that the seven ingredients would remain intact to the end.

“My assistants had moles within the Atiku group. Anything that they planned would be reported. That was the case after Ogbeh’s letter. They decided that Ogbeh should appear remorseful and come with the National Working Committee to apologise to me. It was not from their hearts, but to lure me to a ‘killing ground’.

Read More: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/obasanjo-in-new-book-says-he-planted-moles-in-his-vp-s-camp/196244/

Obasanjo is a pot calling the kettle black. He lacks the moral stature to castigate and expose people the way he does especially when we know the type of person he is. He is an oloriburuku somebody who had the best opportunity to put Nigeria back on the right track but instead chose to govern with sentiments, parochial thinking and worst of all vindictiveness.

Had he ruled with fairness and genuine interest of Nigeria at heart, we would not have been where we are today. In fact, we would have surpassed many western nations and be envied by others. But that unforgiving Ebora of Owu chose personal accomplishment over nation building and bestowed on us a weak Yar'adua and an incompetent Jonathan thinking that he could continue to manipulate both for his personal gains. And when God's plan changed the course of his plans, he has resulted to writing open letters and books all in a bid to pull people down.

Make no mistake, I'm not in support of GEJ or Atiku for they're both not fit to rule this great nation of ours. But it is the same Obasanjo who brought those guys to limelight to achieve sinister ends.

Atiku career has been finished by OBJ long ago during their well publicized acrimonious 2nd term. Atiku will need serious intervention of God to be relevant again in Nigerian politics.

Baba dey Para ooo.There's one thing you cant take away from this man, he's very smart and strategic,no wonder he's revered by the international community. He sure knows nigeria in and out.

#CEMENT!!! 300 BAGS MINIMUM, NO MAXIMUM.

All of them na dsame

Baba iyabo, doing what he knows how to do best... Atiku own don finish ooo with all d amala n ewedu that atiku went to Otta to eat with baba iyabo, still baba iyabo never forgive am. With atiku open yanz na plus one for GEJ. GEJ till 2019!!!

That doesn't make sense to me.why always attacking people?

APC delegates will surely not be voting Atiku

Baba iyabo means it that Atiku will not become President

Some yeye pple we be calling GEJ a corrupt president not knowing their presidential candidate(atiku) started corrupting our lawmakers since 2007.

one thing i ve come to understand about obasanjo is that he never admits commiting any error. imagine him telling nigerians that third term ambition was never his plan. chai, baba you can lie oh

Obasanjo considers himself the "God' of Nigeria who is flawless, knows all, dictates all, and gratiously grants the country and its citizens favours. He does not see any wrong or evil in himself but sees that of others. Atiku planned on how to become the President of Nigeria without taking him (the Nigerian "God") into consideration and for that reason he dealt with him. Jonathan wants to go for another term when He has not "divinely" ordained it and so he must do everything to stop him. These arrogation of power which he does not have will one day kill him. He should go and rest.

We don't have time now for Pa OBJ victimization epistle...


He can come try again in 2019

Maybe they are same, but come to think of it. After winning the civil war, being a two term Democratic president and an old man, he has nothing to loose. I think what is left to know now is the,hidden truths about what transpired up there. Nigerian politics is more than just voting primaries and elections, you need spies, allies, even create enemies . (try watching game of thrones)
Also, I am not surprised that many people don't know how to make political comments, and that has affected our political intelligence.

I dey laugh

eunisam:
That doesn't make sense to me.why always attacking people?

Did you ever watch the film "UNFORGIVEN"?
Your question is betraying your age. This was a Nigerian Army General in civilian government. This people are trained not to forgive disloyalty and double dealing in any shape or form.
Only Abacha, IBB, Buhari, Ojukwu, Gowon, Mohammed and other former military heads of states are the other ones who can understand what was at play here. Nigerian military generals don't understand and cannot abide disloyalty. It was drilled into them from a young age and they have seen death of friends and family in coups and counter coups in the 60s and 70s. Obasanjo will also never forgive GEJ for promising everybody he begged on his behalf from the north only one term in office. Whether it is right or wrong not to forgive or not is besides the point. The man remains unforgiven, you cannot negotiate a permanent thing.
This Obasanjo man is very dangerous, he is actually very bitter with a lot of people, Atiku and GEJ are prominent among them. He is in his late seventies, has seen everything, heard everything and does not give a damn even if the entire Nigerian fraudulent political system has to crash down around him. I think we should be thankful for that.

This man is just so desparate to clear the foul air around him. We can now see the mindset of leaders we have in this country. When other leaders are taking pains to write books that will inspire their nations and world entirely. I really thought this papa was trying to emulate the great books like, 'Long walk to freedom' by Nelson Mandela, 'My Life' by Bill Clinton et al. Dear OBJ, please we know the truth already. Just tell us you've reprented and start practicing your theological training by preaching to us rather than trying to remind us about your past sh.its.

now dey are attacking demselves, , comes feb 14 2015 GEJ will still match on to ASO ROCK

Amacaco:
Obasanjo considers himself the "God' of Nigeria who is flawless, knows all, dictates all, and gratiously grants the country and its citizens favours. He does not see any wrong or evil in himself but sees that of others. Atiku planned on how to become the President of Nigeria without taking him (the Nigerian "God" into consideration and for that reason he dealt with him. Jonathan wants to go for another term when He has not "divinely" ordained it and so he must do everything to stop him. These arrogation of power which he does not have will one day kill him. He should go and rest.

Oga.. Try reading point blank without sentiments. He wrote of atiku's crave for presidency. Leaving God, does not have to be literary. I guess you were an arts major in secondary school.

onyeomaonyeoma:
now dey are attacking demselves, , comes feb 14 2015 GEJ will still match on to ASO ROCK

Why don't you still yourself and wait for the dish about your President. The facts are coming out one by one and I am sure Jona's own will be the worst because he is the weakest, dumbest and most dishonourable amongst all of them. What I have read so far has convinced me that it is a curse that people like this are governing people like us. Imagine the future of someone's children being determined by idiots.

iluvnaija:
I dey laugh

Akpabio is more intelligent, courageous and capable than Jonathan by far........so Jona' s own must be worse.
We shall soon hear.

Adminisher:


Did you ever watch the film "UNFORGIVEN"?
Your question is betraying your age. This was a Nigerian Army General in civilian government. This people are trained not to forgive disloyalty and double dealing in any shape or form.
Only Abacha, IBB, Buhari, Ojukwu, Gowon, Mohammed and other former military heads of states are the other ones who can understand what was at play here. Nigerian military generals don't understand and cannot abide disloyalty. It was drilled into them from a young age and they have seen death of friends and family in coups and counter coups in the 60s and 70s. Obasanjo will also never forgive GEJ for promising everybody he begged on his behalf from the north only one term in office. Whether it is right or wrong not to forgive or not is besides the point. The man remains unforgiven, you cannot negotiate a permanent thing.
This Obasanjo man is very dangerous, he is actually very bitter with a lot of people, Atiku and GEJ are prominent among them. He is in his late seventies, has seen everything, heard everything and does not give a damn even if the entire Nigerian fraudulent political system has to crash down around him. I think we should be thankful for that.

That is why they will always say, Bloody civilians. Many people don't understand the politics of how Nigeria started..

onyeomaonyeoma:
now dey are attacking demselves, , comes feb 14 2015 GEJ will still match on to ASO ROCK

Seun, Mods,.. I've been asking for unlike button. Because of people like this.

xpac01:
This man is just so desparate to clear the foul air around him. We can now see the mindset of leaders we have in this country. When other leaders are taking pains to write books that will inspire their nations and world entirely. I really thought this papa was trying to emulate the great books like, 'Long walk to freedom' by Nelson Mandela, 'My Life' by Bill Clinton et al. Dear OBJ, please we know the truth already. Just tell us you've reprented and start practicing your theological training by preaching to us rather than trying to remind us about your past sh.its.

Very funny. U think this man at his age and level is ready to convince any1 to like him? Nah. Mayb u would have said guilty conscience.

This one na to show say waiting elderly man sit down for Aso Rock see, the young and hungry man no go if see am even if him climb the Aso Rock but him no go fit enter. Word of wisdom. Hahaha Atiku u are finish u can not be our president.

Another case of pot calling kettle black, the man should go and rest.

If OBJ can claim in his so called book that he never had a third term agenda then all the rest said weda true or false is bullsh.it.Imagine OBJ is a a saint while others are demons

xpac01:
This man is just so desparate to clear the foul air around him. We can now see the mindset of leaders we have in this country. When other leaders are taking pains to write books that will inspire their nations and world entirely. I really thought this papa was trying to emulate the great books like, 'Long walk to freedom' by Nelson Mandela, 'My Life' by Bill Clinton et al. Dear OBJ, please we know the truth already. Just tell us you've reprented and start practicing your theological training by preaching to us rather than trying to remind us about your past sh.its.

Seriously you know about the shit past. I pray.... Abi you know ni... There's more to this Nigeria. If you don't believe me ask Hilary Clinton or Sir Lord luggard.

Waiting on Atiku to write his own

benson81:
If OBJ can claim in his so called book that he never had a third term agenda then all the rest said weda true or false is bullsh.it.Imagine OBJ is a a saint while others are demons

I don't think OBJ had third term agenda. If he did and as he has boasted many times before there was nothing stopping him. NIGERIA IS A VERY USELESS COUNTRY GOVERNED BY THE WEAKEST, MOST UN-NTELLIGENTI AND MOST COWARDLY PEOPLE.
Everybody in PDP is a political prostitute. Self seeking, soft in the head, selfish and materialistic. If Obj had used EFCC and money he would have gotten third term easily if he wanted and he had unbelievable money.
We need to remove this party in 2015 before they gang up and sell this country.

Very revealing! The book published at the right time, a guide to electorates to reason well before deciding.

Sai Buhari

It seems he wrote this book just to attack his opponents and people who doesn't agree with him. if thats the case then I would recommend a psychiatric evaluation for him

I will buy the book when Alaba boys have pirated the it.

I hope he added how he slept with his son's wife! Fu.cktard!