I Won The 1999 Election, But The Military Feared I’d Probe Them — Olu Falae Says (Video)

Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and ex-presidential candidate, has alleged that he won the 1999 presidential election against former President Olusegun Obasanjo but was denied the mandate by the military establishment.

He made the revelation during an interview session with Arise News to mark the 2025 June 12 Democracy Day.



“Yes, we fought for Democracy. In February 1999, I contested a presidential election with my boss and now friend, General Olusegun Obasanjo. It was clear to everybody that I won the election.

“Remember, I went to court, I hired the late Chief G.O.K. Ajayi (SAN) as my lawyer. G.O.K. was able to establish that the results that were duplicated and counted, I won by 1.5 million votes.

“And I was told much later by the late Deinde Fernandez that he had seen the results of the election in America, and that I won a landslide victory. I have no doubt in my mind, and most Nigerians have no doubt whatsoever.”

“Clearly, the military was jittery about a truly brave civilian taking over from them, but they would rather go for a hybrid civilian (politician) in the person of General Obasanjo,” Falae said.

He alleged that top military figures were afraid he would investigate their past actions if he assumed office, despite his own history of service under the military regime.



“What I was told was that they are afraid that if I become President, I might decide to probe the military. That is ridiculous because I served five years in Babangida’s government. First as secretary for four years, and then as minister for one year. How could I be so stupid that I would probe a government of which I was a part of?” he stated.

The 1999 election season commenced with Olusegun Obasanjo, newly released from prison after being detained by General Sani Abacha, securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.

Meanwhile, Olu Falae, also recently freed from imprisonment under Abacha’s regime, contested the presidency on a joint ticket representing the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All People’s Party (APP).

For the 1999 presidential election, 57.9 million Nigerians registered to vote, but only 30.3 million (52.3%) voted, with 431,611 of them invalid.

I Clearly Won the 1999 Election Against Olusegun Obasanjo – Falae

After the election, I went to court, and my lawyer, late GOK Ajayi, successfully established that if the duplicated results were discounted, I won by 1.5 million votes. Late Ambassador Dende Fernandes also… pic.twitter.com/RLU8j9ucgB

— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) June 12, 2025