AD Governors' Role in Supporting Obasanjo in 2003

The article details the relationship between the Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors and President Olusegun Obasanjo during the 2003 presidential election. It clarifies that the support for Obasanjo was a collective decision by the Afenifere/AD hierarchy, not solely the governors' choice.

Despite a lack of personal rapport with Obasanjo, the AD governors, including their leader Chief Adesanya, were motivated by a desire to prevent military intervention in Nigeria's fragile democracy. The impeachment attempt by the House of Representatives, led by Right-Honourable Ghali Umar Na’Abba in August 2002, prompted the AD to act.

They opposed the impeachment to avoid a political crisis, emphasizing their commitment to democracy, shaped by their experiences under military rule. The AD caucus in the National Assembly and party leadership decided to block the impeachment without Obasanjo's prompting.

A meeting with Na’Abba and later with Obasanjo was held to discuss the situation, demonstrating their proactive stance in safeguarding democratic governance.