Former Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae, has claimed he clearly won the 1999 presidential election, alleging that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was coerced by the military into running for office to protect their interests.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Nigeria?s journey to democracy, Falae, who contested under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All People?s Party (APP) alliance, insisted that he won the election by 1.5 million votes. He added that the result was later confirmed to him by the late Ambassador Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez, who reportedly saw the results in the possession of American officials.

?I have no doubt in my mind, and most Nigerians have no doubt whatsoever, that it was I that they voted for,? Falae said.

He claimed the military were uncomfortable with handing over power to a ?thoroughbred civilian? and preferred to back Obasanjo, a former Head of State, to shield themselves from possible scrutiny. According to Falae, the fear that he might probe the military was unfounded, as he had served in General Ibrahim Babangida?s administration for five years and had no interest in investigating a regime he was part of.

??But clearly it was an excuse to do what they wanted to do.?

Falae revealed that unlike Obasanjo?who he claims had no initial intention to contest and had to be persuaded?he had prepared for two years, conducting focus group discussions, crafting a national blueprint, and preparing handbooks for every ministerial portfolio. His manifesto, titled New Directions for the Third Republic, he said, was designed to enable him ?hit the ground running.?

?I was ready to govern. I had spent my life in public and private service without blemish. I was better prepared,? he said.

He also touched on the legacy of June 12, 1993?the presidential election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria?s history. According to Falae, the military annulment of that poll represented a betrayal of the people?s will, but the ensuing struggle gave birth to Nigeria?s unbroken democratic experience since 1999.

?That?s a positive from June 12th? the effect is eternal, not a temporary thing,? he stated.

However, he decried the quality of elections since then, lamenting widespread violence, vote buying, and endless litigation.

?It is as if June 12 never happened,? he said. ?What is yet to be accomplished is the purity and acceptability of election results.?

Falae also reiterated that Nigeria?s shift from national development plans to ad hoc ?rolling plans? had led to disjointed governance since 1999. He expressed hope that someday a group or leader would emerge to ?substantially eliminate poverty, insecurity, and hunger.?

Despite his political loss, Falae concluded that he has no regrets.

?I had done my duty, I paid my dues, and I?m happy that we are still practising democracy,? he said. (AriseNews TV: Text, Excluding Headline)

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