Duke Recalls How Coup Rumour Reached Mbeki During Obasanjo’s Second-Term Bid

Former Cross River Governor Donald Duke has recounted how a rumour of a possible military coup in Nigeria reached then-South African President Thabo Mbeki as President Olusegun Obasanjo prepared to seek a second term in 2003.

Duke said the political crisis surrounding Obasanjo’s re-election bid had become so serious that it attracted the attention of South African officials.

He recalled that then-Niger State Governor Abdulkadir Kure received an unexpected call from South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bangumzi Sifingo.

According to him, Sifingo told Kure that Mbeki wanted to speak with him.

Duke said Mbeki subsequently asked Kure whether it was true that Nigeria could face a military coup if Obasanjo sought and won a second term.

Kure, according to Duke, was surprised by the question and asked Mbeki where he had obtained such information.

Duke said Mbeki disclosed the source of the information, although he did not identify the source in his account.

He said Kure, concerned by the development, immediately went to the Presidential Villa to brief Obasanjo.

Duke recalled that the episode occurred amid growing tension between Obasanjo and his then deputy, Atiku Abubakar, over the President’s second-term ambition.

He said Obasanjo was so frustrated by the political situation that he contemplated abandoning his re-election bid.

Duke also recalled travelling to Abuja to persuade Abubakar that challenging an incumbent president would be a difficult political gamble.

He said the political crisis eventually deepened, with rumours of possible military intervention becoming part of the wider uncertainty surrounding the 2003 election.