Why Obasanjo Still Holds A Grudge Against Me – Atiku

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s lingering resentment towards him stems from his opposition to the controversial third-term agenda during the Obasanjo administration.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said he had no regrets for standing against what he described as an attempt to subvert Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

The statement was in response to recent comments by Obasanjo, who said one of the biggest mistakes of his presidency was choosing Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in 1999.

The former president also alleged that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during their time in office. Atiku rejected the allegations, describing them as another attempt to rewrite history and diminish his contributions to the Obasanjo administration.

According to Atiku, his refusal to support the third-term bid remains the major reason the former president has not forgiven him.

“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition,” he said.

He added that if Obasanjo’s resentment was rooted in his opposition to the constitutional amendment, he regarded it as “a badge of honour.”

“No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty,” Atiku stated.

The former vice president argued that the battle against the third-term agenda was not a personal dispute but a struggle to preserve constitutional democracy.

He said history had already vindicated those who opposed the move, insisting that “the Nigerian people won that battle and democracy won that battle.”

Atiku also claimed that despite his contributions to the success of the Obasanjo administration, the former president had consistently sought to diminish his role.

He cited recent remarks by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reportedly described the economic management team he led during the Obasanjo administration as “the best Nigeria has ever had.”

According to him, while several distinguished Nigerians continue to acknowledge his contributions to the country’s economic reforms, Obasanjo remains determined to downplay them.

Atiku further recounted his role in Obasanjo’s political journey, saying he stood by the former president during his imprisonment, supported his family, worked for his release and assisted him after he regained his freedom.

He also claimed to have mobilised political structures and made significant personal and political sacrifices that contributed to Obasanjo’s emergence as Nigeria’s president in 1999.

“I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing,” Atiku said.

Despite his contributions, Atiku said he harboured no regrets for assisting Obasanjo, stressing that acts of kindness should not be driven by expectations of repayment.

However, he said gratitude should not be replaced with attempts to distort historical facts.

The former vice president also expressed disappointment that, at a time Nigeria is grappling with economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity, a former president would focus on reopening old political disagreements instead of offering solutions to the nation’s challenges.

He maintained that the 2027 general election should centre on rebuilding the country, restoring security, reviving the economy and giving hope to Nigerians rather than revisiting past political conflicts.

Atiku said he had exercised restraint over the years out of respect for Obasanjo and the office he once occupied but insisted that such restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

“There comes a point when silence in the face of repeated distortions of history ceases to be a virtue,” he said, adding that while Obasanjo was entitled to his opinions, “he is not entitled to his own facts.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to national service, saying his focus remained on Nigeria’s future rather than personal disputes.