By News Desk
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has revealed details of a past conversation involving former military Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo concerning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Duke, who governed Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, shared the account during a political reflections session detailing the internal dynamics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership during the early years of the Fourth Republic.
Key Highlights of the Account
According to Duke, the exchange occurred during discussions surrounding political succession and executive governance within the Obasanjo-Atiku administration:
- Babangida’s Assessment: Duke stated that General Babangida explicitly cautioned President Obasanjo regarding his deputy’s presidential ambitions, expressing reservations about Atiku’s readiness to lead the country.
- Political Dynamics: The former governor noted that the warning highlighted growing friction and tactical maneuvering within the presidency as the administration approached its second term transition.
- Reflections on Party Leadership: Duke cited the incident to illustrate how early intra-party rivalries and power struggles shaped the long-term trajectory of the PDP and Nigerian democratic governance.
Broader Context
The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku during their tenure (1999–2007) remains one of the most scrutinized political partnerships in Nigeria’s political history, characterized by public policy achievements as well as high-profile political disputes toward the end of their second term.
Neither General Babangida nor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media representatives have issued a formal response regarding Duke’s recent public statements.
