June 12: I Won 1999 Presidential Poll, Military imposes Obasabjo - Olu Falae

Former Presidential Candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) during the 1999 General polls, Chief Olu Falae, has insisted that he won the 1999 presidential poll.

According to the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he won the presidential poll with 1.5 million votes.

Falae, who made the claim while speaking on a Television programme, claimed that instead of declaring him as the winner of the poll, the military allegedly installed former President Olusegun Obasanjo because he was a retired Army general.

The former SGF explained that the result was confirmed to “him by the late Ambassador Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez,” who reportedly saw the results in the possession of American officials.

He insisted that the military wanted someone who would shield them from scrutiny, hence the choice of Obasanjo as winner of the 1999 presidential election.

According to him, the military was uncomfortable with handing over power to a thoroughbred civilian as the president in order not to subject them to scrutiny.

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

“I was ready to govern. I had spent my life in public and private service without blemish. I was better prepared.”