How I Became Obasanjo’s Enemy After Exposing His Third Term Secret – Orji Kalu Reveals

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia North has reignited controversy over the alleged third-term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming that the ex-leader indeed sought to extend his stay in power beyond the constitutionally permitted two terms.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Kalu alleged that Obasanjo personally summoned him to Aso Rock Villa to disclose his plan to pursue a third term in office.

The former Abia State governor accused Obasanjo of “lying to Nigerians” after the former president recently denied, during an event in Ghana, ever attempting to elongate his tenure.

“With due respect to President Obasanjo, what he said in Ghana was a naked lie — a complete fallacy,” Kalu stated.

He maintained that several individuals who were aware of the failed third-term move are still alive, including former Senate President David Mark.

According to Kalu, huge sums of money were distributed to lawmakers and political leaders at the time to secure support for the controversial agenda.

“Senator Wande brought ₦50 million which they shared. They asked if I would take mine as a governor, but I refused and told them to return it. Even the National Security Adviser back then knew what was happening — Obasanjo was at the centre of it all,” Kalu said.

The senator explained that his fallout with Obasanjo began after he exposed the plot to the international community, including then–South African President Thabo Mbeki and U.S. President George Bush.

“My quarrel with him started when I informed Presidents Thabo Mbeki and George Bush that Obasanjo was pushing for a third term. I even told Nelson Mandela, may his soul rest in peace. They all confronted him. I don’t know why Nigeria should be built on lies,” he added.

“We Stopped Him”
Kalu further alleged that Obasanjo justified his third-term ambition by citing long-serving leaders like Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.

“He told me in the Villa. That was the beginning. I told him it wasn’t possible. Some governors had already agreed, but people like me refused. I took an oath on the Bible to serve for only eight years, and I stood by it,” he said.

The lawmaker noted that while Obasanjo had managed to convince several northern governors, a handful of them — including himself — opposed the idea and ensured it failed.

“He would say, ‘Gaddafi is still there,’ and use that as an example. But democracy is about the rule of law. If the constitution says eight years, nobody should go beyond that. Anyone who tries is inviting the wrath of God,” Kalu declared.

He added that even former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili clashed with Obasanjo over the issue, insisting that history cannot be rewritten.

“Obasanjo wanted a third term — we stopped him because of the Constitution. The U.S. government under George Bush supported efforts to block it. History will remember that some of us stood for democracy,” Kalu said firmly.