Flashback: When Obasanjo Lost His Cool Over Alleged Coup Plot During Tense Media Encounter

A tense moment unfolded years ago between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a group of journalists — including this writer — during a pre-dawn meeting at his Otta Farm residence, when the issue of an alleged coup plot was unexpectedly raised.

The encounter took place on Saturday, April 5, 2003, during a scheduled interactive session between the then-President and a small group of senior political editors from major Nigerian newspapers. The meeting, originally slated for the previous night, was delayed by Obasanjo’s security aides, who said he was too tired to meet visitors ahead of his planned early morning trip abroad.

By 4:30 a.m., the journalists were still waiting in the courtyard when Obasanjo appeared, visibly angry that his aides had failed to inform him of their arrival. He apologized and invited them into his living room, still dressed in a grey jalabiya, explaining that the meeting would have to be brief.

The Moment of Tension

As the discussion began, one of the editors — perhaps emboldened by the opportunity — nervously asked,

“Mr. President, sir, we learnt that there has been a coup.”

Obasanjo, visibly taken aback, turned sharply and demanded in his deep, gravelly voice,

“Who told you that? I said, who told you that?”

When the journalist pointed at this writer and said, “Jide told us,” the atmosphere became electric.

Standing beside Obasanjo, I suddenly found myself the focus of the former President’s interrogation. Switching to Yoruba, he barked,

“Jide, ngbo (Jide, listen), ki lo gbo? (What did you hear?) Won ni pe o mo nkan ti awon ologun n se. Da mi lohun (They said you know about what the military is planning. Answer me!)”

Sensing the tension, I quickly deflected by denouncing the “enemies of democracy” and praising Obasanjo’s leadership, saying in Yoruba that it was his good work for the nation that had made him a target of “evil people.”

As I continued with what could best be described as a spirited defense of the President, the atmosphere slowly eased. Obasanjo eventually relaxed, cleared his throat, and warned jokingly,

“Ma lo ko o” — Don’t go and write that, o.

I replied that the story had already been written but clarified that the report did not mention a military takeover — only a “plot to derail democracy.” Obasanjo nodded, saying simply,

“Ko buru” — That’s okay.

The Exclusive That Followed

The following day, Sunday Vanguard published the exclusive story titled “Plot to Derail Democracy.” The report detailed meetings among some retired and serving military officers allegedly planning to destabilize the political system amid heightened tensions over Obasanjo’s impeachment threat in 2002.

According to intelligence sources at the time, the plan involved two groups — one based in Abuja and the other in Lagos — holding covert meetings in military formations. Their objective was to create instability, possibly through an uprising or interim government arrangement.

However, before the alleged conspirators could act, security agencies arrested several officers, including a former ADC to a past Head of State and some former military administrators.

The situation reportedly prompted public assurances of loyalty from the then Chief of Army Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, who reaffirmed the military’s commitment to democracy.

In subsequent years, rumours of military plots persisted, including a 2004 incident in which several mid-ranking officers were accused of a “serious security breach,” and another case in which four officers and a civilian were charged with plotting to shoot down Obasanjo’s helicopter.

Even as recently as last month, similar coup rumours resurfaced after the Federal Government cancelled the October 1 Independence Day parade, though the Defence Headquarters denied any such link.

That long night in Otta remains a vivid reminder of the fragile balance between the press, power, and national security — and of a moment when one question nearly ignited a storm between journalists and Nigeria’s commander-in-chief.

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