As a historian, I know how history is often simplified into convenient narratives. Over time, these narratives become accepted truths, not necessarily because they are accurate, but because they are easy to remember and endlessly repeated. One such narrative currently circulating in Nigeria’s political discourse is the claim that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s enduring opposition to the presidential aspirations of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stems principally from Atiku’s role in frustrating the controversial 3rd Term agenda.
This narrative has recently gained renewed prominence through commentaries by respected public intellectuals and political actors, including Dr Reuben Abati, Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi’s media team, and numerous commentators across the mainstream and social media. While many of these analyses correctly recount important events surrounding the 3rd term controversy, they reach a conclusion that, in my considered judgement, is factually inaccurate. They confuse the climax of a political conflict with its origin. This
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