This One Cannot Rule Nigeria’ – IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku, Duke Reveals

Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has recounted an alleged private warning given by former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida to former President Olusegun Obasanjo regarding his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar.

According to Ireporter Online, Duke’s account is contained in a new book by Seun Oloketuyi titled How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which examines political developments and power struggles surrounding the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Duke, who served as Cross River State governor between 1999 and 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 the former governor, relations between Obasanjo and Atiku had deteriorated considerably as the former president prepared for his second-term bid.

Duke said Atiku’s political activities at the time generated concerns over whether the then Vice-President remained fully committed to Obasanjo’s re-election campaign.

The disagreement reportedly became a major issue within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with some party leaders considering alternatives to Atiku as Obasanjo’s running mate.

Duke recalled that 10 governors, including himself, met with the then PDP National Chairman, Solomon Lar, to discuss possible replacements for Atiku.

He said the development alarmed Obasanjo, who subsequently contacted him late at night to complain about what he viewed as betrayal by his deputy.

Duke said he reassured the former president and promised to travel to Abuja the following morning.

The former governor said the situation later led to an unusual meeting at the Presidential Villa after Atiku reportedly facilitated a meeting between Babangida, Abdulsalami and Obasanjo.

During the encounter, Babangida reportedly reminded Obasanjo of political understandings reached following his release from prison and suggested that securing the support of influential northern politicians for a second term would be difficult.

Duke said Obasanjo subsequently asked whether the position was final or whether there was still room for negotiations, to which Babangida reportedly indicated that discussions could continue.

However, Duke said the most striking moment came after the formal discussions appeared to have ended.

According to his account, Babangida claimed that he had forgotten his keys in Obasanjo’s private study and asked the former president to accompany him inside.

Duke alleged that once the two men were alone, Babangida dropped the diplomatic tone of the earlier conversation and issued Obasanjo a direct warning about Atiku.

Babangida reportedly told Obasanjo: “I warned you not to trust that your deputy.”

Duke further claimed that when Babangida returned to the others, he looked at Atiku before turning to Obasanjo and allegedly declared, “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”

The former governor said the encounter reflected the deep mistrust that had developed between Obasanjo and Atiku and demonstrated how their political disagreements had attracted the attention of influential political figures.

Reflecting on his experience in Nigerian politics, Duke described betrayal as one of the most difficult realities of political life.

“Betrayal is a very crazy thing in politics,” he said.