Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has revealed how he personally intervened to prevent a potential confrontation between late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a period of political tension.

In his recently launched autobiography, "Being True To Myself," presented to the public on May 13, 2025, Lamido detailed two significant incidents that created the impression that Yar'Adua was preparing to challenge Obasanjo's legacy.

The first incident involved a controversial debate in the National Assembly regarding the alleged mismanagement of the $16 billion National Independent Power Project (NIPP). According to Lamido, the debate in the House of Representatives was led not by opposition members but by a prominent member of Yar'Adua's own party, the PDP, who was also a close ally from Katsina State.

"This debate gave Nigerians the impression that Obasanjo had stolen the $16 billion and abandoned the projects, which later proved untrue," Lamido noted in his book.

Concerned by the political undercurrents, Lamido approached Yar'Adua to express his worries about the narrative being pushed in the legislature. However, Yar'Adua responded firmly, stating: "It is an issue being discussed by an independent arm of government."

The second incident was more personal. Lamido recounted receiving a call from the President's Chief Security Officer (CSO), Tilde, while in his Dutse village. The CSO's unexpected remark that he "thought you are in Ota with your President" took Lamido by surprise.

When informed of a petition against him addressed to Yar'Adua, which the CSO claimed he could suppress, Lamido was furious. "Who do you think you can blackmail? Go to hell!" Lamido recalled telling the CSO, suspecting the petition originated from Mohammed Ali Ringim, a political adversary.

Undeterred, Lamido immediately flew to the Presidential Villa, confronted the CSO with a verbal dressing-down in front of staff, and reminded them that Yar'Adua's rise to power owed much to Obasanjo's support.

In a subsequent meeting with the late president, Yar'Adua asked him, "Sule, what is agitating you?"

With emotion, Lamido pleaded, "Sir, in the name of God, please I beg you, do not fight Obasanjo. It is neither in our religion nor culture to show ingratitude to one who stood with you in your hour of need and ensured you attained this very office."

To reassure Lamido, Yar'Adua summoned his ADC, Lt. Col Mustapha, who confirmed that the president had instructed him to accommodate Obasanjo on all matters, including international travels, without needing further approval.

"Are you comforted now?" Yar'Adua asked Lamido, to which he replied, "Yes, Sir," before bidding farewell.

Lamido's revelations provide a rare glimpse into the delicate political balance during Yar'Adua's presidency and highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts to maintain harmony within Nigeria's political leadership at that time.