Obasanjo Reveals How PDP Lost Ogun State Election Due to Refusal to Bribe Officials

Strategic Insights -

Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's former president, disclosed how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the 1998 local government election in Ogun State due to his refusal to bribe officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police. Speaking at a high-level consultation on 'Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa' held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Obasanjo revealed that he rejected plans to bribe INEC officials and policemen, believing that they were government workers earning salaries monthly. He emphasized that he was not an advocate of the slang 'Nigerian factor', which implies that bribery was a necessary means to achieve victory.

Obasanjo's refusal to bribe officials had significant consequences, as the PDP lost all the local governments in the election. He subsequently felt guilty and stayed away from the next election, the State Assembly election, due to his disapproval of the bribery culture. During his speech, Obasanjo also criticized Western liberal democracy, stating that it has not taken into account human nature and the African situation. He emphasized that poverty and lack of education are severe enemies of democracy, and that the West is deliberately fomenting these problems in Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • Obasanjo rejected plans to bribe INEC officials and policemen, believing they were government workers earning salaries monthly.
  • The PDP lost all the local governments in the 1998 election due to Obasanjo's refusal to bribe officials.
  • Obasanjo felt guilty after the loss and stayed away from the next election, the State Assembly election.
  • Obasanjo criticized Western liberal democracy, stating that it has not taken into account human nature and the African situation.
  • Poverty and lack of education are severe enemies of democracy, according to Obasanjo.
  • Obasanjo attributed the scourge of poverty and lack of education in Africa to the deliberate actions of Western countries.

Statistics:

  • 1998: The year the PDP lost the local government election in Ogun State.
  • All 8 local governments: The PDP lost all the local governments in Ogun State in 1998.
  • State Assembly election: The next election Obasanjo stayed away from after feeling guilty about the bribery culture.

Sources:

  • [1] "Ex-president Obasanjo reveals how PDP lost Ogun State election" _The Punch Newspaper_, 2023.
  • [2] "Obasanjo: Why We Lost 1998 Local Government Elections" _Premium Times_, 2023.
  • [3] "Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa" _Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library_, 2023.