How Obasanjo Almost Came To Blows With A South-South Governor

Charles Oyelesi

Details available to societynow.ng revealed that former president Olusegun Obasanjo almost came to blows with a governor from the South-South region of Nigeria – but for timely intervention by those present at the scene.

Both Obasanjo and the governor who nearly became the victim of his fists were both in power at the time.

Obasanjo was President of Nigeria and the Governor, late Diepreye Alamieyesiegha was the at the helms of affairs in Bayelsa State.

The confrontation between Obasanjo and Alamieyesiegha transpired at the Presidential Villa when some governors moved to quash the impeachment move launched by the House of Representatives with Ghali Umar Na’Abba as Speaker in 2002.

‘’In the course of our interaction, then Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesiegha was nearly assaulted physically when he said something that was misconstrued by Obasanjo.

‘’Oga (Meaning Obasanjo), We (the governors) are in charge…,’’ Alamieyesiegha said.
Without waiting for Alamieyesiegha to finish his comment, Obasanjo jumped up and queried:

‘’You, in charge where I am President? In charge of what? I am fully in charge!’’

Incensed, he even moved towards Governor Alamieyesiegha in a menacing manner.’’ Osoba narrated
in his book titled ‘’Battle Lines: Adventures In Journalism And Politics’’.

Osoba revealed how he prevented Obasanjo from pouncing on Alamiesiegha ‘’ What the governor of Bayelsa was going to say was that as governors we had strong leverage over most of our state’s representatives in the National Assembly and we could get them to thwart any attempt to impeach him, if only he worked with us and allowed us to do so. I had to douse the tension by intervening. I clarified Alamieyiesiegha’s statement by adding that those of us who suffered for democracy and someone like him who had to go to jail for some other reasons, should understand why we needed to ensure the survival of democracy. I pleaded with him to show maturity as a statesman by stooping to conquer. I explained that he needed to let us take charge of the situation and douse the tension between him and the National Assembly.

‘’Okay, I understand now. You want me to stoop to conquer’’ Obasanjo said. That was how we managed to save an ugly situation that could have resulted in an exchange of blows between him and Alamieyesiegha’’

‘’Battle Lines: Adventures In Journalism And Politics’’ addresses all the misconceptions about Osoba as newspaperman and politics in a manner that makes it a very interesting read.