Orji Kalu: How Mandela Made Obasanjo Abandon Third Term Agenda

Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Thursday recounted how the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela, made former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo, drop his third-term presidential ambition.

READ ALSO: Anambra Community Denies Ownership Of Arsenals, Brewing War

According to Kalu, while speaking on ‘The Mandela I Know’, at the 10th commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day organised by the South African High Commission in Nigeria at the University of Abuja, Mandela played a crucial role in ensuring Obasanjo abandoned the idea third term in office.

The former Abia state governor said, “I recall my personal interactions with him (Mandela), especially during our national struggle to force President Olusegun Obasanjo to drop his plan to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and secure an extension of his tenure.

RUGA: You’re Calling For War, Nigeria Already On Fire – Ohanaeze Warns Northern Groups

“Disturbed by the details, Mandela placed a call to President Olusegun Obasanjo and told him in clear terms that whatever his plans were, it was neither desirable for Africa.

“That intervention, proved strategic to the leadership question in Nigeria at the time, leading to elections in 2007.”