Politics
Falae Claims 1999 Presidential Victory Over Obasanjo
Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All People’s Party (APP) in the 1999 general elections, has made a startling claim – asserting that he, not Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, won the crucial vote that ushered Nigeria back to civilian rule.
Falae, who appeared on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday during special Democracy Day programming, alleged that he was the actual winner of the 1999 presidential election, but was denied his mandate through manipulation of results. The elder statesman declared that based on the legal review of the vote tallies carried out by his legal counsel, late Chief J.O.K. Ajayi, he defeated Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by a margin exceeding one million votes.
“I was told by my lawyer, the late Chief JOK Ajayi, that I won the election by over a million votes after a meticulous assessment of the figures declared,” Falae said during the interview. “But we decided not to go to court. We were more concerned about the country returning to democracy peacefully after years of military rule.”
Falae’s unexpected revelation reopens an old political wound from Nigeria’s transitional period following the death of General Sani Abacha and the eventual assumption of office by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who oversaw the transition to democratic governance. The 1999 elections were widely seen at the time as a product of compromise—a means to pacify aggrieved regions, particularly the South-West, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election presumed to have been won by MKO Abiola.
Falae’s candidacy in 1999, backed by two major opposition parties—AD and APP—was seen as an effort to appease the Yoruba people, while Obasanjo, himself a Yoruba man and former military Head of State, emerged as the PDP’s candidate with backing from the political establishment and the military elite.
“There was so much pressure not to rock the boat,” Falae told his interviewers. “We made sacrifices for democracy to return. I accepted it in good faith then, but the truth must be told: I won that election.”
Political analysts have long pointed to irregularities and compromises in the 1999 electoral process. While international observers acknowledged the election marked a turning point for Nigeria’s democratic aspirations, they also flagged concerns over lack of transparency and credible voter records.
Falae’s fresh assertions have sparked renewed debate over the legitimacy of the 1999 poll and the foundations of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Critics argue that the results were pre-determined by powerful political and military interests who saw Obasanjo, a former military leader and prisoner under Abacha, as a stabilizing force capable of uniting a fragile federation.
Now 85, Falae’s voice still carries weight in Nigeria’s political circles. A respected technocrat, former finance minister, and an enduring figure in Yoruba nationalism, he insists that Nigeria must revisit its democratic journey to learn from the past and ensure true accountability.
Reacting to his remarks, some Nigerians on social media expressed both sympathy and skepticism. While some lamented what they described as stolen history and a “hijacked transition,” others questioned the timing and motive behind the revelation, 26 years after the fact.
For Falae, however, the matter goes beyond personal ambition. “It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about the truth. Nigeria deserves to know the real story behind its so-called democratic rebirth.”
As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, Falae’s claim adds a layer of complexity to the nation’s political history – a reminder that even foundational transitions can be contested long after the ballots are counted.
Falaye regretted that since 1993, Nigeria has not had credible election, noting that although the democracy has been sustained till 1999, the conduct of elections remain a challenge.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a letter submitted by the Samuel Anyanwu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that the correspondence “failed to meet the requirements of the law.”
According to The Nation, the letter, jointly signed by Abdulrahaman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had sought the postponement of the Ekiti Governorship Primary scheduled for November 8, 2025.
The faction claimed that “logistical reasons” made it impossible to conduct the exercise as planned.
In the letter dated November 6, 2025, titled “Postponement of PDP Ekiti State Congress/Governorship Primary,” the faction told the commission that a new date would be communicated.
Part of the letter read, “We wish to inform you that the PDP Ekiti State Congress and Governorship primary scheduled for November 8, 2025, has been postponed due to logistical reasons constraining this exercise… Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Despite the request, the PDP went ahead with the primary on November 8, with Dr. Wole Oluyede emerging winner after polling 279 votes to defeat Funso Agent (239 votes) and Funmilayo Ogun (17 votes).
In its response dated November 10, 2025, and addressed to the PDP National Secretary under reference number INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94, INEC declared the request invalid.
The letter, signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, stated that the notice did not comply with the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
The letter reads, “The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of Part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which provides that ‘the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit the same to the Commission.’ Be guided.
The Commission hereby informs you that it has rejected your submission for non-compliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act.”
The commission’s firm position effectively invalidates Abdulrahaman Mohammed’s claim to be acting national chairman of the PDP.
Tension At Wadata Plaza As Rival PDP Factions Storm Secretariat Amid Heavy Security
There is heightened tension at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abuja, as two rival factions claiming leadership of the party moved to hold parallel meetings at the same venue.
Heavily armed security operatives cordoned off major sections around Wadata Plaza on Tuesday, anticipating clashes between loyalists of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the newly elected National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki.
Members of the Anyanwu-led National Working Committee were the first to arrive at the secretariat on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to journalists shortly after settling into his office, Anyanwu declared that he remains the substantive National Secretary of the party until December, stressing that no leadership announcement or convention outcome could invalidate his tenure.
He brushed aside reports of his expulsion by the Turaki group, insisting that due process had not been followed.
Responding to questions about whether he had invited the security operatives stationed outside the premises, Anyanwu confirmed that he had.
According to him, it is standard practice for the PDP to request the presence of security agencies whenever major party meetings are scheduled.
He added that the security operatives were also positioned to handle any “intruders,” a comment widely interpreted as a warning to the Turaki-led exco, which had also summoned its own emergency meeting at the same national headquarters.
The Turaki-led leadership had, on Monday, written to the police to alert them of what they described as plans by expelled officers to disrupt activities at the party secretariat.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Kabiru Turaki (SAN), the former minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, as its new national chairman at its ongoing national convention.
Turaki’s emergence at the convention, which was being held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, where delegates from 17 states in the country cast their votes to elect national officers.
The new PDP national chairman was a minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
At the ongoing convention, the party had earlier announced the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike. The PDP suspended Wike, along with the former governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, and the former national secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu.
The motion for the expulsion of the party leaders was moved by Olabode George, the former national vice chairman of the PDP. His motion was supported by Samaila Burga, the PDP chairman in Bauchi state.
Others who were expelled included the PDP’s national legal adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), AbdulRahman Mohammed, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Umar Bature, Austin Nwachukwu, Mao Chuambuwa, and Abraham Ammah.
However, the expulsion of Wike and others has been rejected by the PDP have been rejected by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang of Adamawa and Plateau states.
Governor Mutfwang, in a statement, distanced himself from the motion seeking the expulsion of the PDP leaders. Mutfwang, through his director of press and public affairs, Gyang Bere, said that the development did not reflect his position.
According to Vanguard, the governor explained that the motion was never discussed at the PDP governor’s forum, nor was it tabled at the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. He stressed that such a move would be counter-productive as the PDP was trying to be stabilized and that the expulsion could further polarize the party rather than uniting it.
Also, Adamawa Governor Fintiri distanced himself from the expulsion of Wike, adding that he strongly believes that the decision was not in the best interest of the PDP and that such a decision would further polarize the party.
Governor Fintiri reiterated that he remains a faithful PDP member and that he would not be part of anything that would further polarize the party. He added that “I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party.”
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