How Atiku gave Na’Abba ₦5m to begin impeachment plot against me — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar gave former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, ₦5 million to kick-start an impeachment plot against him during his first term in office.

Obasanjo said this in a letter addressed to former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, in which he disputed Osoba’s account of the political events leading to the 2003 general election.

According to the former president, the impeachment move originated within the Presidency and was orchestrated by Atiku while he was away from office.

“Na’Abba’s impeachment began at the Presidency by the Vice-President, who, on a Friday when I was out of the office, invited Na’Abba to his office and convinced him… that I should have only one term as President,” Obasanjo wrote.

He alleged that Atiku provided the initial funding for the plot.

“On the Friday, he invited Na’Abba, he gave him ₦5 million to begin his impeachment work. It was all noted, recorded and reported to me by my Chief of Staff, a professional intelligence officer.”

Obasanjo claimed the alleged impeachment effort was part of Atiku’s long-standing presidential ambition.

“From the first day as Vice-President, he raised campaigners for his presidency,” he said.

The former president said he paid little attention to the impeachment moves because he believed he had committed no impeachable offence.

“The game continued to be played on with me treating it with contempt as I have committed no impeachable offence except my Vice-President who wanted to take over by hook or by crook.”