Former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Bwari, has taken issue with former President Olusegun Obasanjo's recent statements about the late Ghali Na’Abba. He insists that Obasanjo's account of the impeachment events during the Fourth Republic is both wrong and unfair to Na’Abba.
Bwari, who was chief whip from 1999 to 2007, made his points in a detailed statement on Monday. The statement is titled, “Setting the Record Straight: A Gentle Correction to Obasanjo’s Claims on Ghali Na’Abba.”
This statement comes after Obasanjo claimed in a public letter that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar offered Na’Abba N5 million to kickstart impeachment proceedings against him during his presidency. Bwari called this allegation “unfair and inaccurate.” He argued that it goes against the constitutional impeachment process and the political events of that time.
The former chief whip stated that he knows what happened because he was part of the leadership in the House during that time. "As the chief whip of the House of Representatives during that foundational era, I did not merely observe these events; I lived them. I was at the nerve centre of our daily deliberations," he said.
He questioned how Obasanjo could believe that N5 million was enough to start an impeachment process. According to him, removing a president requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly. This makes the alleged bribe amount seem unlikely. "Is Baba suggesting that the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was worth so little?" Bwari asked.
He explained that it takes a constitutional two-thirds majority from the entire House, followed by a thorough process in the Senate. Bwari also said that Na’Abba was “far too principled” to be involved in such a plot to remove a president.
Bwari disagreed with Obasanjo’s suggestion that Atiku supported the impeachment efforts. Instead, he said that Atiku often acted as Obasanjo’s messenger when tensions rose between the executive and the legislature.
"We viewed him not as an ally in any impeachment drive, but as President Obasanjo’s chief envoy and defender. Whenever the friction between the executive and the legislature reached a boiling point, it was Atiku who frequently appeared at our doorsteps, speaking passionately on OBJ’s behalf to douse the flames," he said.
He maintained that calling Atiku the mastermind behind an impeachment plan did not reflect the reality of that time. Contrary to Obasanjo’s claim that he was not worried about impeachment threats, Bwari insisted that lawmakers were ready to begin impeachment proceedings against the president.
He noted that the House had identified “dozens of impeachable offences” and was ready to act until mediation efforts calmed the situation. Bwari recalled that many respected Nigerians intervened to avoid a constitutional crisis between the executive and the legislature.
He mentioned former President Shehu Shagari, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, elder statesman Anthony Enahoro, retired army brigadier Abba Kyari, the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and a group of governors led by Segun Osoba as some of those who stepped in.
Bwari also said that Obasanjo’s then Chief of Staff, Abdullahi Mohammed, and other presidential representatives met with House leadership to find a political solution. "We engaged in those late-night dialogues with the utmost seriousness because we respected the presidency, even as we fiercely guarded the independence of the legislature," he said.
He stressed that Na’Abba’s disagreements with the presidency were not based on personal issues or financial incentives. Instead, he said Na’Abba’s actions came from a commitment to uphold the independence of the legislature. "Ghali Na’Abba’s battles with the executive were never personal, nor were they transactional. He was driven by an unyielding devotion to the doctrine of the separation of powers," he said.
Bwari mentioned that many lawmakers who stood up against executive influence faced political consequences. He said many, including Na’Abba, lost chances to return to the National Assembly. The former chief whip raised questions about why this allegation only came up after Na’Abba's death.
"The alleged bribe story is said to have occurred sometime between 2003 and 2007. Yet, for the best part of two decades, while Ghali was alive… this accusation was never brought to light," he said.
"For former President Obasanjo to introduce it now, when the ‘lion’ has passed on and cannot offer his characteristic rebuttal, feels deeply unfair." Despite his criticisms, Bwari called Obasanjo an elder statesman who deserves respect. He said his comments come from a desire to protect the “sanctity of memory” surrounding the late Speaker.
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