Tinubu Slams Obasanjo’s Third-Term Agenda, Exposes Deep-Rooted Political Corruption in Nigerian History
In a bold and reflective address to a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12, President Bola Tinubu delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s past leadership, calling out former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s infamous third-term agenda as a direct assault on the country’s democracy and constitution.
Tinubu hailed the Fifth National Assembly as the true defenders of democracy, emphasizing that their refusal to amend the Constitution to favor Obasanjo’s self-perpetuating ambition was a pivotal moment that saved the soul of the nation.
“In 2006, the 5th National Assembly protected our democracy against an unseemly third-term bid that would have ripped our constitution apart,” Tinubu declared. “They stood firm when it mattered most.”
But beyond praise, Tinubu’s speech peeled back the layers of political manipulation, authoritarian ambition, and systemic corruption that have long plagued Nigeria’s democratic journey.
A History of Manipulation and Bribery
In a damning revelation earlier this year, Senator Olusola Adeyeye exposed how the Obasanjo administration allegedly attempted to buy support from lawmakers, offering a staggering ₦70 million each to back the now-disgraced third-term bid.
Adeyeye, speaking in a live interview on Channels TV, recounted how he was nearly removed from a critical parliamentary decision through deception, under the guise of an international trip to China. According to him, while in Amsterdam, it became clear that his sudden assignment was a calculated attempt to neutralize him during sensitive deliberations over the constitutional amendment.
“That was when my struggle began,” Adeyeye said. “They tried to take me out of the picture so they could execute their plot. I realized it was not diplomacy it was strategy. Corrupt, dirty strategy.”
Such tactics speak to a broader pattern of political trickery that has historically undermined Nigeria’s development. Bribes, backdoor deals, and elite arrogance have often taken precedence over public service, and Tinubu’s speech served as a reminder that corruption isn’t just about stolen funds—it’s about hijacking institutions to serve personal interests.
A President’s Warning and a Call for Vigilance
Tinubu’s remarks were more than just historical reflection they were a clear warning. Democracy, he suggested, is still fragile in Nigeria. It must be protected not just from military coups, but from “civilian coups” hidden behind constitutional amendments and political consensus built on corruption.
“You are the authors of the people’s law, and I must be their faithful implementer,” he told lawmakers. “We may not always agree, but we must forge a way to work together. That is what democracy demands.”
Military Dictatorship and Past Defiance
Tinubu also reached into Nigeria’s dark past, recounting how he and other lawmakers, including Senator Ameh Ebute, risked their lives by defying the brutal military regime of General Sani Abacha after the dissolution of the National Assembly in 1993.
“We defied the General and his goons to reconvene in Lagos. We were jailed for our defiance,” Tinubu revealed.
This moment of courage, he suggested, is what should define Nigeria’s leaders integrity over intimidation, principle over politics.
A Cultural Note or a Distraction?
Interestingly, throughout the address and media coverage, repeated references to “Nigerian cultural tours” oddly punctuated the discourse, almost like misplaced footnotes. Whether this was a distraction tactic or an editorial slip remains unclear but what is clear is that culture must not be used to mask corruption.
Final Thoughts: Democracy or Hypocrisy?
President Tinubu’s address painted a vivid picture of Nigeria’s democratic crossroads: one path leads to integrity, the other to institutional decay. His praise of past lawmakers was a call to action for current leaders: resist corruption, uphold the Constitution, and serve the people not personal ambition.
As Nigerians reflect on this powerful moment, the real question remains have the political elites truly changed, or are we merely watching the same actors in a different drama?
The battle to protect Nigeria’s democracy may not be over, but speeches like this remind the nation that history is watching and so are the people.