Atiku gave Speaker Na’Abba ₦5m to impeach me — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar financed an attempt to impeach him during his first term in office by providing ₦5 million to the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba.

Obasanjo made the allegation while responding to comments by former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, regarding political developments that preceded the 2003 general elections.

In a statement, the former president claimed that the impeachment move was orchestrated from within the Presidency and spearheaded by Atiku following a private meeting with Na’Abba.

According to Obasanjo, Atiku persuaded the late Speaker that he should serve only one term as president and encouraged him to initiate impeachment proceedings.

“Na’Abba’s impeachment began at the presidency by the Vice-President, who on a Friday when I was out of the office, invited Na’Abba to his office and convinced him, as he had convinced himself and some others but of insignificant number, that I should have only one term as President.”

He further alleged that Atiku provided financial backing to kick-start the impeachment process.

“On the Friday, Atiku invited Na’Abba; he gave him ₦5 million to begin his impeachment work. It was all noted, recorded and reported to me by my Chief of Staff, a professional intelligence officer.”

Obasanjo maintained that the alleged meeting and financial transaction were documented and brought to his attention by his Chief of Staff, whom he described as a professional intelligence officer.

Despite the alleged plot, the former president said he was not unsettled by the impeachment threat because he believed there were no constitutional grounds to remove him from office.

The latest claim adds another chapter to the long-running political rivalry between Obasanjo and Atiku, whose relationship has remained strained since they served together in office between 1999 and 2007.