Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has recounted how former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), allegedly warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against placing his trust in his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
Duke’s account is contained in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines political developments and intrigues surrounding the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Duke, who governed Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, recalled a tense encounter involving Babangida, former military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Obasanjo and Atiku at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Duke, relations between Obasanjo and Atiku had deteriorated considerably as the former president prepared to seek a second term in office.
He said Atiku’s political activities had generated concerns over whether the then Vice President remained fully committed to Obasanjo’s re-election bid.
The disagreement eventually became a major issue within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with some party leaders reportedly considering alternatives to Atiku as Obasanjo’s running mate.
Duke recalled that 10 governors, including himself, held discussions with the then PDP National Chairman, Solomon Lar, over possible replacements for the Vice President.
The development, he said, deeply concerned Obasanjo. Duke said he received a late-night telephone call from the President, who complained about what he regarded as a betrayal by his deputy.
Duke recalled, “I urged him to remain calm and promised to fly to Abuja the next morning.”
The Meeting at the Presidential Villa
Duke said the situation subsequently led to an unusual meeting at the Presidential Villa after Atiku reportedly arranged for Babangida and Abdulsalami to meet with Obasanjo.
During the meeting, Babangida reminded Obasanjo of political understandings that had been reached following the former president’s release from prison.
He also reportedly told Obasanjo that securing the backing of influential northern politicians for his second-term bid would be difficult.
According to Duke, Obasanjo sought clarification on whether the position was final or whether there remained room for negotiations.
Babangida, he said, indicated that discussions could still continue.
However, Duke said the most significant part of the encounter occurred after the formal meeting appeared to have ended.
He recalled that Babangida claimed he had left his keys in Obasanjo’s private study and asked the former president to accompany him back inside.
Once the two men were alone, Duke said Babangida abandoned the diplomatic tone of the earlier discussion and issued Obasanjo a direct warning about Atiku.
Babangida reportedly told Obasanjo, “I warned you not to trust that your deputy.”
Duke further recounted that when they returned to the others, Babangida looked at Atiku before turning to Obasanjo and allegedly said, “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”
According to Duke, the episode demonstrated the extent of the mistrust that had developed between Obasanjo and Atiku, as well as the degree to which their political differences had become a subject of discussion among influential political figures.
Reflecting on the episode, Duke said it reinforced a major lesson from his years in public office.
He said, “Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics.”