Obasanjo, Atiku Trade Fresh Accusations Over Impeachment Plot, Third-term Controversy

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have renewed their long-running political feud, exchanging accusations over an alleged impeachment plot and the controversial third-term agenda that strained their relationship while in office.

Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, ₦5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term as president.

The former president made the allegation while responding to remarks by former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, on political events leading to the 2003 general election.

According to Obasanjo, Atiku met privately with Na’Abba at the Presidency and encouraged him to begin impeachment proceedings, insisting that he (Obasanjo) should serve only one term in office.

He claimed the alleged meeting and payment were documented and reported to him by his Chief of Staff, whom he described as a professional intelligence officer.

Obasanjo added that he was not worried by the impeachment move because he believed there were no constitutional grounds for his removal from office.

Reacting in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the allegation, questioning why Obasanjo waited until after Na’Abba’s death to make the claim.

He argued that the late former Speaker was no longer alive to confirm or deny the allegation, describing the timing as unfair to his memory.

The former vice president also asked why no legal action was taken against him at the time if there was credible evidence to support the allegation.

Atiku further alleged that the accusation was aimed at damaging his reputation ahead of the 2027 general election and giving political advantage to Obasanjo’s preferred candidate.

He maintained that Obasanjo’s hostility towards him stemmed from his opposition to the former president’s controversial third-term bid, saying he stood by constitutional democracy and resisted any attempt to extend presidential tenure beyond the constitutional limit.

According to Atiku, the disagreement over the third-term agenda remains at the heart of their political differences.

The former vice president said he would not be distracted by political disputes from more than two decades ago, arguing that Nigerians were more concerned about current economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising public debt than historical political disagreements.

He added that while Obasanjo was free to support any candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, such support should be expressed openly rather than through allegations that could no longer be independently verified.