Obasanjo's Second-Term Bid Threatened by Coup Concerns

Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State from 1999 to 2007, disclosed in his upcoming book, ‘How to Win Elections in Nigeria’ by Seun Oloketuyi, that the South African presidency became aware of a possible military coup in Nigeria ahead of the 2003 presidential election. Duke recounted that Abdulkadir Kure, the then-governor of Niger State, received a call from Bangumzi Sifingo, the South African high commissioner to Nigeria, who relayed that President Thabo Mbeki wanted to speak with him.

Mbeki asked Kure if it was true that Nigeria could face a military coup if Olusegun Obasanjo sought and won a second term. This revelation shocked Kure, who promptly informed Obasanjo.

Duke noted that the involvement of Mbeki indicated the severity of the political crisis in Nigeria. He also mentioned receiving a late-night call from Obasanjo, who expressed frustration over perceived betrayal by his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, and was contemplating abandoning his second-term bid.