No matter how many times Olusegun Obasanjo speaks of his plans to retire to his chicken farm after stepping down as president of Nigeria, millions still wonder whether he really means to relinquish power.

Obasanjo is presiding over elections that mark the first handover of power from one civilian head of state to another in Nigeria since it became independent from Britain in 1960.

But many Nigerians suspect the 70-year-old retired general intends to continue dominating the affairs of Africa’s most populous nation and biggest oil exporter. Obasanjo’s allies tried last year to amend the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term.

When that failed, critics say the president adopted another strategy, to install a puppet in the form of Umaru Yar’Adua, the obscure governor of northern Katsina State. Both men deny this.

Obasanjo also did all in his power to block a presidential bid by his estranged deputy, Vice President Atiku Abubakar. But the Supreme Court this week said Abubakar’s disqualification was illegal, allowing him to stand.

In the eyes of many in Nigeria and abroad, these manoeuvres have tarnished the reputation of a man once hailed as a democratic hero.