Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has revealed how ex-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida privately warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against trusting his deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
Duke’s account appears in Seun Oloketuyi’s new book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which chronicles the intrigues of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
According to Duke, tensions between Obasanjo and Atiku had reached a boiling point as the president prepared for his 2003 re-election bid. Atiku’s political manoeuvres, he said, raised doubts about his loyalty, prompting Obasanjo to confide in allies about what he saw as betrayal.
Duke recalled receiving a late-night call from Obasanjo, who complained bitterly about Atiku’s conduct. ‘I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning,’ Duke said.
What followed was a dramatic meeting at the presidential villa involving Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar. Babangida reportedly reminded Obasanjo of earlier agreements made after his release from prison and warned that northern leaders might resist backing his second-term bid.
But the most striking moment came after the meeting ended. As Babangida and Obasanjo walked back alone to retrieve Babangida’s forgotten keys, the former military ruler dropped his diplomatic tone.
‘I warned you not to trust that your deputy,’ Babangida allegedly told Obasanjo. Moments later, in front of the others, he looked at Atiku and declared: ‘This one cannot rule Nigeria.’
Duke said the episode underscored the depth of distrust between the two men and highlighted the brutal realities of political betrayal. ‘Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics,’ he reflected.
The frosty relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku has endured for decades, marked by accusations of corruption, abuse of office, and political sabotage. Obasanjo recently reignited the feud, alleging that Atiku once offered ?5 million to the late Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
Atiku, a presidential candidate in next year’s general election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissed the claims as fabrications, accusing Obasanjo of bitterness over his failed third-term agenda.
The revelations in Oloketuyi’s book add fresh layers to one of Nigeria’s most enduring political rivalries. This uneasy partnership shaped the country’s democratic journey and continues to reverberate ahead of the 2027 election.