ABUJA, Nigeria – Veteran comedian Atunyota Akpobome, known as Alibaba, has revealed a conversation he had with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which the latter allegedly shared a detailed strategy on how to win Nigeria’s presidency.
The revelations, made during an interview on the Outside the Box Podcast, shed light on a cynical and politically charged roadmap for achieving political success in the country.
Alibaba quoted Obasanjo, who advised him on the necessary steps to secure electoral victory in Nigeria.
According to Obasanjo, the key to winning the presidency lies in securing the support of seven influential governors from major states, including Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.
While Alibaba expressed doubts about the financial strength of states like Kano and Kaduna, Obasanjo reportedly countered by suggesting that “numbers are money,” emphasizing the importance of political leverage rather than just financial resources.
The strategy, as described by Alibaba, also included securing the loyalty of 44 of the most popular senatorial districts, distributing contracts early in office to influence voter behavior, and suspending corruption cases against wealthy former governors who control substantial “war chests” of funds.
These funds, often shielded from anti-graft agencies, were seen as critical to gaining political support.
Obasanjo also allegedly pointed to the need for international support, particularly from countries like the US and China, to strengthen a presidential bid.
According to Alibaba, Obasanjo mentioned that gaining the backing of major foreign powers could help solidify the political position of a presidential candidate, especially considering their business interests in Nigeria.
The strategy also involved extensive manipulation of grassroots organizations, including student unions, market women, and transport unions.
Obasanjo reportedly suggested infiltrating opposition parties, buying delegates, and ensuring loyalty through personal favors like job offers, travel opportunities, and religious pilgrimages.
In a further revelation, Alibaba explained how opposition parties could be manipulated from within by providing financial and material incentives to potential delegates and key party figures, ensuring their loyalty ahead of elections.
Finally, Obasanjo allegedly emphasized the importance of securing institutional support, including control over Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), media outlets, religious leaders, and traditional rulers.
This comprehensive approach, according to Alibaba, also included ensuring that constitutional lawyers were on retainership to help navigate legal challenges.
