Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has recounted an alleged private conversation in which former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida warned ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar, during political tensions ahead of the 2003 presidential election.
Duke’s account is contained in Seun Oloketuyi’s new book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines political developments and electoral intrigues surrounding the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Duke, who served as Cross River governor from 1999 to 2007, recalled an informal meeting involving Babangida, former military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Obasanjo and Atiku at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Duke, tensions between Obasanjo and Atiku had intensified as the president prepared to seek a second term. Atiku’s political activities reportedly raised concerns within the administration about his commitment to Obasanjo’s re-election.
The disagreement became a major issue within the Peoples Democratic Party, with some governors reportedly considering alternatives for the vice-presidential position.
Duke said 10 governors, including himself, met with then PDP National Chairman Solomon Lar to discuss possible replacements.
He recalled receiving a late-night telephone call from Obasanjo, who complained about what he considered a betrayal by his deputy.
“I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,” Duke reportedly said.
According to Duke, Atiku subsequently arranged a meeting between Babangida, Abdulsalami and Obasanjo at the Presidential Villa.
Duke said Babangida reminded Obasanjo of agreements reached following his release from prison and argued that securing the support of northern political leaders for a second term would be difficult.
Obasanjo reportedly asked whether that represented their final position or whether there was still room for negotiations. Babangida allegedly responded that further discussions remained possible.
Duke said the most striking part of the encounter happened after the meeting, when Babangida asked Obasanjo to accompany him to his private study, claiming that he had forgotten his keys.
According to Duke’s account, Babangida then privately warned Obasanjo about Atiku.
“I warned you not to trust that your deputy,” Babangida allegedly told him.
Duke further claimed that Babangida later looked towards Atiku before telling Obasanjo: “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”
The former governor said the incident reflected the deep mistrust surrounding the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku at the time.
Duke also described betrayal as a recurring feature of Nigerian politics, saying his experience in government had taught him that “betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics.”
Obasanjo and Atiku have remained politically estranged since their time together as president and vice-president between 1999 and 2007. Their relationship has been marked by repeated allegations and counter-allegations involving political betrayal, corruption and abuse of office.
The dispute resurfaced recently after 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 claim while responding to former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba’s comments about political developments ahead of the 2003 election.
On August 1, Obasanjo again criticised Atiku during a fireside discussion with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos, saying he regretted choosing Atiku as his vice-president.
Atiku, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has rejected Obasanjo’s allegations. He accused the former president of making claims against him to advance the interests of his preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku also argued that Obasanjo’s criticism was connected to his opposition to the former president’s controversial third-term bid while they were in office.
The claims attributed to Duke relate to private political discussions from more than two decades ago and could not be independently verified from the account provided.
