Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent denial of seeking a third term in office has been strongly challenged by political activist and civil society leader, Dr. Usman Bugaje, who accused the ex-president of making every effort to extend his stay in power.

Obasanjo, while speaking at a democracy dialogue hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Ghana last week, dismissed the long-standing controversy, declaring: “I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian dead or alive that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term.”

However, reacting during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Bugaje, who was a member of the National Assembly during Obasanjo’s administration, insisted that lawmakers at the time had first-hand knowledge of his alleged ambition.

“I can confirm to you that Obasanjo looked for a third term. He did everything within his power to get it, but he failed,” Bugaje asserted.

According to him, the former president relied on intimidation and inducements to push his agenda, and several lawmakers came under pressure from his agents. He recalled how Senator Victor Lar, then leader of the Northern caucus in the House of Representatives, had to hide in different locations before a decisive meeting was held to resist the move.

“Those who distributed the money and threatened us are still alive. Those who collected it are alive, and those who rejected it are also alive. The evidence is overwhelming and incontrovertible. There is no way he can deny it,” Bugaje declared.