OBJ’s Fiery Outburst Over Alleged Coup Plot

A Tense Encounter: Obasanjo’s Fury Over Alleged Coup Plot Question

A tense confrontation unfolded between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a journalist inside his Otta Farm residence. The incident erupted over a suggestion that the journalist possessed information about an alleged coup plot involving retired and serving military officers. The atmosphere in the room grew palpably tense, leaving the gathered journalists visibly scared and perturbed.

The meeting included four Politics Editors and two veteran journalists. One editor pointedly asked Obasanjo a sensitive question. “Mr President, sir,” he whispered, “We learnt that there has been a coup.” A bewildered Obasanjo turned and fixed a disdainful look on the questioner. He thundered in his gravelly tone, “Who told you that? I said who told you that.” The journalist simply pointed and said, “Jide told us.” This was not a moment for fun or niceties.

The Morning Everything Unfolded

The date was Saturday, April 5, 2003. The venue was the living room of Obasanjo’s farm in Otta, Ogun State, between 4:45 am and 5:30 am. The journalists had arrived the previous night for an interactive session, only to be kept waiting for hours in the courtyard, battling mosquitoes. During this wait, the journalist, Jide, hinted to his colleagues about a foiled plot and the arrest of some senior officers, both serving and retired.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

An exhausted and angry Obasanjo finally appeared around 4:30 am, berating his security aides for not informing him of the journalists’ presence. After apologizing, he ushered them inside. As he fiddled with his wristwatch, the group requested a photograph. It was at this moment the coup question was posed, igniting the former president’s fury.

A Conversation in Yoruba and a Calming Intervention

The exchange quickly shifted to Yoruba. Obasanjo demanded, “E hen, ki ni won se, ki lo gbo?” (Yes, what did they do? What did you hear?). Jide, standing next to him, quickly launched into a stream of praise for Obasanjo, simultaneously cursing the “enemies of the state.” He declared that God had caught the plotters and tamed the devil. This strategic praise helped to douse the rising tension.

After the rant, Obasanjo cleared his throat and cautioned, “ma lo ko o” (don’t go and write it o). Jide responded that the report had already been prepared, but clarified it did not state the military wanted to take over, only that there was a plot to derail democracy. To this, Obasanjo simply said, “ko bu ru” (Okay). The group then took the photograph, with a relieved Jide moving away from Obasanjo’s side.

The Foiled Plot to Derail Democracy

The background of this incident was a genuine security concern. Beginning in late 2002, a group of retired military officers, including a former ADC to a head of state and ex-military administrators, had plotted to derail democracy. Their ultimate aim was to create instability, potentially through an uprising or military intervention, capitalizing on the political heat from the attempted impeachment of President Obasanjo and the introduction of Sharia law.

Before the plotters could act, they were arrested. This was not