Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, has linked his political fallout with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to an alleged agreement that was expected to shape Nigeria’s leadership succession after the 2003 general election.

Kalu said former military leader Ibrahim Babangida was part of an understanding reached before Obasanjo became president in 1999, under which the former president was expected to serve only one four-year term.

Speaking on Arise Television, the senator maintained that the arrangement was intended to ensure a change of leadership after Obasanjo’s first term, Naija News reported.

He also attributed Obasanjo’s emergence as president to efforts to address political grievances in the South-West following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the death of its presumed winner, MKO Abiola.

Kalu said the alleged failure to honour the one-term understanding contributed to the deterioration of his relationship with Obasanjo, stressing that his disagreement with the former president was rooted in unfulfilled political commitments rather than personal ambition.

He also said he could not confirm reports that Babangida had considered him for the position of vice president under the proposed arrangement.