Jonathan: Obasanjo really wanted a third term

Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan says the national assembly scuttled the third term bid of Olusegun Obasanjo, his former benefactor.

Obasanjo has consistently denied seeking to extend his stay in office beyond 2007, saying some governors were behind it.

“People say that it was obvious that I wanted a third term and I ask those who say I was behind the third term to bring concrete evidence to prove that I spearheaded it…,” Obasanjo had said during the launch of My Watch, his autobiography.

“Third term was not my agenda or intention. I didn’t mastermind third term. Those who were telling me to go on were the governors that were going to benefit from it.”

But Jonathan, who was the guest of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, disagreed with one of his predecessors.

“I was a governor at that time, but due to strong resistance from the national assembly, the third-term bid failed,” he said, adding that Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate presidents who influence parliaments to amend the constitution in order to extend their stay in office.

“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions. This is a disturbing precedent for the region and continent.”

Jonathan also spoke on his yet-to-be launched foundation, saying it will focus on solving political disputes in the continent.

The former president also shared his experience as an international observer in Tanzania.