Olusegun Obasanjo

The 2003 election won by Obasanjo was described by observers as marred by widespread fraud. The 2007 election organised under his government faced even greater criticism, and its winner, Umaru Yar'Adua, himself acknowledged serious flaws.

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Transcorp was established with Obasanjo's support and quickly acquired privatised public assets and concessions. Reuters reported that Obasanjo held approximately 200 million shares through a trust, prompting anti-corruption activists to denounce a conflict of interest and possible abuse of office.

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Fundraising for Obasanjo's presidential library, launched while he was still head of state, attracted substantial contributions from politicians, companies and individuals with interests before the government. Civil society organisations called for investigations, arguing that presidential office created a conflict of interest and implicit pressure.

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Obasanjo's anti-corruption campaign resulted in major investigations, dismissals and prosecutions, but was also accused of selective enforcement. Reuters reported that critics regarded the EFCC as a political weapon weakening the opposition, particularly after the breakdown in relations between Obasanjo and his Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

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Political responsibility

During the political battle between Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a Senate committee investigating the Petroleum Technology Development Fund concluded in 2007 that certain approvals granted by Obasanjo for PTDF-funded projects fell outside the fund's statutory mandate. A review committee classified some actions as unlawful and recommended referring both the President and Vice-President to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

A constitutional amendment would have enabled Obasanjo to seek a third term. The campaign for the measure prompted accusations of vote-buying and authoritarian drift before its rejection by the Senate.

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Political responsibility

Soldiers killed more than 200 civilians and destroyed communities in Benue State following the killing of military personnel. Human Rights Watch accused the government of failing to investigate seriously or sanction those responsible.

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After police officers were murdered in the Niger Delta, Obasanjo sent the army to Odi. Human Rights Watch documented widespread destruction of the town and civilian deaths potentially numbering in the hundreds.

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Political responsibility