Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed claims by former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, that he deceived leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) during the political events leading to the 2003 general elections.
In a letter dated July 23, 2026, titled “Reply to your inaccurate posture: ‘How Obasanjo deceived us in 2003’,” Obasanjo described Osoba’s account, published in The Legal Observer on July 20, as inaccurate and filled with omissions and misconceptions.
The former President strongly rejected being described as a deceiver, insisting that he had always conducted his political dealings with honesty, openness and a commitment to Nigeria’s unity.
“I take strong and serious objection to your calling me a deceiver because I deceived nobody. I always presented my case and all issues as I had them and as I understood them, no matter whose ox is gored,” Obasanjo stated.
He argued that many of the political developments that preceded his emergence as President in 1999 were known only to senior leaders of Afenifere and the Alliance for Democracy, not Osoba.
Reflecting on his relationship with the late Afenifere leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Obasanjo said they maintained mutual respect despite Adesanya’s insistence that the Yoruba would not support his presidential ambition.
According to him, efforts to bring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the AD together in a national government were motivated by a desire to strengthen national unity rather than political weakness.
Obasanjo also disputed Osoba’s account of the attempted impeachment of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba. He maintained that the impeachment move originated from within his administration but said he treated the process with contempt because he had committed no impeachable offence.
Addressing the outcome of the 2003 governorship elections, Obasanjo rejected claims that the Presidency manipulated the defeat of AD governors. He insisted that the losses in five of the six South-West states reflected the will of the electorate, while acknowledging that one state experienced altered election figures.
He added that he had never subscribed to tribal politics.
Despite their political disagreements, Obasanjo praised Osoba for his contributions to Ogun State and acknowledged his role in allocating the land used for the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
He described the library as one of the state’s most significant landmarks and expressed gratitude for Osoba’s support, saying political differences should not overshadow lasting relationships and appreciation for good deeds.
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