Duke Reveals How IBB Warned Obasanjo About Atiku Ahead of the 2003 Poll

By Boluwatife Kehinde-Idowu

Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has revealed how former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida reportedly cautioned ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo about his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar.

According to TheCable, Duke shared the account in his contribution to Seun Oloketuyi’s book, How to Win Elections in Nigeria, which chronicles key political events and personalities in Nigeria’s electoral history.

Duke recalled a meeting involving Babangida, Obasanjo, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar and Atiku at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Duke, Babangida later asked Obasanjo to accompany him to the former president’s private study, reportedly claiming that he had forgotten his keys.

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Duke said Babangida used the private conversation to remind Obasanjo of an earlier warning about Atiku.

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

Duke further recounted that Babangida expressed doubts about Atiku’s ability to become president, saying, “This one cannot rule Nigeria.”

The former governor said the encounter reflected the political tensions surrounding Obasanjo and Atiku during their time in government.

Obasanjo and Atiku served as president and vice-president respectively between 1999 and 2007. Their relationship later deteriorated, eventually resulting in a major political split.

Duke also reflected on the challenges of political relationships, identifying betrayal as one of the factors capable of undermining political alliances.

The revelation comes as Atiku remains an influential figure in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.