In an exclusive interview with TheCable, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo shed light on his controversial decision to choose the late President Musa Yar’Adua as his successor, despite being aware of his health condition. Obasanjo refuted allegations of ulterior motives and explained the rationale behind his choice.
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s head of state during the military regime from 1976 to 1979 and later as an elected civilian president from 1999 to 2007, revealed that he initiated a thorough selection process for his successor. A committee led by the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu was tasked with evaluating potential candidates for the presidency.
The committee’s recommendation placed Umaru Yar’Adua at the top of the list, emphasizing his integrity and commitment to not engage in corruption. However, concerns regarding Yar’Adua’s health were raised during the selection process. In response, Obasanjo sought a medical expert’s opinion on Yar’Adua’s health status, ensuring the candidate’s identity remained undisclosed.
The medical expert’s assessment revealed that Yar’Adua had undergone a kidney transplant, but there was no reason to worry as he was expected to be as healthy as any other individual. This medical evaluation played a pivotal role in Obasanjo’s decision to endorse Yar’Adua as his successor.
Obasanjo firmly denied accusations that he knowingly supported a candidate with a terminal illness, leading to Yar’Adua’s presidency ending tragically with his death from acute pericarditis on May 5, 2010.
In his interview, Obasanjo emphasized, “All insinuations that I knew he was going to die and that was why I supported him to be president were false. This is the true story I have told you.”
This revelation from the former president provides a unique perspective on a critical chapter in Nigeria’s political history, shedding light on the decision-making process that led to Yar’Adua’s presidency.
