Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and one-time presidential candidate, has revealed that he won the 1999 presidential election but intentionally chose not to challenge the outcome to preserve Nigeria’s return to democracy.
Speaking during a special Democracy Day interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, Falae claimed that a detailed legal analysis conducted by his late lawyer, Chief J.O.K. Ajayi, showed he secured over a million votes more than Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was declared winner of the election.
“I was told by my lawyer, the late Chief J.O.K. Ajayi, that I won the election by over a million votes after a meticulous assessment of the figures declared,” Falae disclosed during the live broadcast.
Despite this alleged victory, the elder statesman said his team made the difficult decision not to take legal action. According to him, their primary concern was ensuring that Nigeria’s fragile political landscape did not collapse after years of military dictatorship.
“We were more concerned about the country returning to democracy peacefully,” Falae explained. “There was so much pressure not to rock the boat. We made sacrifices for democracy to return.”
In a reflective and somewhat emotional tone, Falae added that his acceptance of the result was not because he believed the outcome was fair but because the country needed stability.
“I accepted it in good faith then, but the truth must be told: I won that election,” he emphasized. “It’s not about me. It’s about the truth. Nigeria deserves to know the real story behind its so-called democratic rebirth.”
Falae, who had also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, expressed disappointment over the state of the country’s electoral process. He claimed that with the exception of the annulled June 12, 1993 election, Nigeria has struggled to conduct credible elections.
“Since June 12, we’ve not had a truly credible election. The structures may be there, but the process is deeply flawed,” he said.
His revelation has sparked widespread discussions across political circles and civil society, with many applauding his sacrifice while others call for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s electoral history.
As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, Falae’s candid statements serve as both a reminder and a warning — that the foundation of Nigeria’s democratic journey may not be as solid or transparent as widely believed.
“It is time we start telling ourselves the truth,” Falae concluded. “Only then can we build the kind of democracy Nigerians truly deserve.”
