Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed allegations by former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, that he deceived leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) during the political realignments preceding the 2003 general elections.
In a letter dated July 23, 2026, titled Reply to your inaccurate posture: ‘How Obasanjo deceived us in 2003’, Obasanjo described Osoba’s account, published in The Legal Observer on July 20, as “farfetched” and riddled with inaccuracies, omissions and misconceptions.
The former president rejected claims that he misled Yoruba political leaders, insisting that his political engagements had always been guided by honesty, transparency and the national interest.
“I take strong and serious objection to your calling me a deceiver because I deceived nobody. I always presented my case and all issues as I had them and as I understood them, no matter whose ox is gored,” he said.
Obasanjo argued that several events leading to his emergence as president in 1999 were beyond Osoba’s knowledge, explaining that they were handled by senior figures within Afenifere and the Alliance for Democracy.
Recalling his relationship with late Afenifere leader, Abraham Adesanya, Obasanjo said they maintained mutual respect despite Adesanya’s opposition to his presidential ambition.
“There was no time I called on Papa Adesanya that I was not well entertained. Yet Papa stood on no vote for me, and I stood on my respect and what was due to him.
“Bringing PDP and AD to join me for a sort of national government was not out of weakness; rather, it was out of strength and for the unity and progress of the country.”
Responding to Osoba’s account of the attempted impeachment of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, Obasanjo dismissed the claims, insisting the plot originated from within the legislature rather than from the Presidency.
“The game continued to be played on with me treating it with contempt as I had committed no impeachable offence,” he said.
Obasanjo also rejected suggestions that the defeat of Alliance for Democracy governors during the 2003 elections resulted from interference by his administration.
“Your loss or defeat in 2003 was genuine in all the six states except the one where the figures were successfully and murderously changed. I have never believed in tribal politics,” he said.
Despite disagreeing with Osoba’s account, Obasanjo acknowledged the former governor’s contributions to Ogun State and expressed appreciation for his support in establishing the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
“The greatest service you rendered for me is the land allocated by you for the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. It has become the most significant landmark in Abeokuta. Politics may end, relationships may live till life’s end, there is no end to humility and thanksgiving,” he said.
