Oshiomhole Reveals Political Battle That Ended Third Term Move

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has made fresh allegations regarding the purported third-term ambition of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming the former leader sought to extend his stay in office and potentially become a life president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oshiomhole said it took the firm resistance of the National Assembly, led at the time by Senator Ken Nnamani, to halt the alleged plan, which he likened to long-serving African leaders such as Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.

He made the remarks in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during a lecture titled “June 12 and Beyond: Reflecting on the Progress of Democracy and Security Concerns,” held as part of activities marking the 2026 June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

According to him, Senator Nnamani and the leadership of the National Assembly stood their ground despite pressure from within the same political party as Obasanjo, helping to preserve Nigeria’s democratic process.

Oshiomhole further noted that the legislature ensured transparency during the controversial period by televising proceedings, allowing Nigerians to see how lawmakers voted on the proposed constitutional amendment.

“By his decision to stand firm and resist pressure from President Obasanjo on the third-term agenda, history will remember him positively. Leaders at all levels are defined by the decisions they take,” he said.

He added that the National Assembly deserved commendation for defending democracy during the debate.

“In the course of the third-term debate, Senate leadership ensured that proceedings were broadcast so that senators were publicly accountable for their votes,” he stated.

Oshiomhole also revisited events surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, claiming that the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, was prepared to offer Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola concessions in exchange for relinquishing his claim to the presidency.

He said he was part of a delegation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that met Abacha in Abuja following the annulment of the election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.

“General Abacha told us he was ready to do anything for MKO Abiola, except accept that he had declared himself President of Nigeria,” he said.

Oshiomhole added that despite intense pressure and repeated appeals for Abiola to accept conditions for his release, the late politician remained firm in his demand for recognition of the electoral mandate given to him by Nigerians.

He recalled that intermediaries urged Abiola to abandon his claim in exchange for freedom, but he refused.

“He said he was elected President of Nigeria and would not trade away the mandate given to him by the people,” Oshiomhole stated.

According to him, Abiola maintained that accepting any compromise would betray the trust of millions of Nigerians who voted for him during the historic election.

“He believed those who voted for him—market women, farmers, students, and workers—made sacrifices, and he could not dishonour their mandate for personal gain or comfort,” he added.