*Thank God His Actions Couldn’t Harm Nigeria

*I’ve No Apology For Opposing Your Third-Term Agenda, Atiku Fires Back

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that he regretted picking Atiku Abubakar as his running mate and eventually vice president.

    Obasanjo stated this during a fireside chat with activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos at the unveiling of the Charly Boy’s Foundation, and his memoir, ‘999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.’     

    Obasanjo served two terms as Nigeria’s President, alongside Atiku, between 1999 and 2007, but the relationship between the duo later became frosty during Obasanjo’s second term in office.

    Reminiscing on his past, the former military head of state said he thanked God that Atiku was never allowed to harm Nigeria under his watch, saying: “The man I picked as my running mate, my number two, if I had known as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him.

    “I mean my vice president. What I know about him later makes me… thank God, because God did not allow his actions and reactions to overwhelm me or to divert my focus from Nigeria or to harm Nigeria.”

    He, however, said he harboured no bitterness over what transpired between him and Atiku in the past, noting: “And then, there is no bitterness, because he did things that he believed he should do, and God did things He had to do, which made me achieve what I was able to achieve.”

     Atiku, in a swift reaction, said he has no regrets standing against Obasanjo’s third-term agenda while they were in office.

    In a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in next year’s general elections said he watched the former President’s interview with profound sadness, not anger, “because it reflected the disposition of a man who has allowed personal resentment to cloud historical truth.”

    Atiku said the roots of Obasanjo’s hostility towards him are well known to Nigerians, adding: “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 no individual is bigger than Nigeria, and that if Obasanjo’s bitterness towards him truly stemmed from his opposition to the “unconstitutional third-term” bid, he would wear the resentment as a badge of honour.

    He said the struggle against the third-term agenda was never about two individuals, but about preserving Nigeria’s constitutional democracy for future generations, adding: “The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict.”

    He also referenced a recent remark credited to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of Finance during Obasanjo’s administration, paying glowing tribute to the economic management team he led as vice-president, noting: “Chief Obasanjo may choose not to appreciate my role in building one of Nigeria’s most prosperous economic eras, but history has been far kinder.

     “The record speaks for itself, and so do the testimonies of those who worked closely with that administration.”

    Atiku stated that Nigerians also deserve to remember the other side of history, which, according to him, Obasanjo conveniently omitted, saying: “History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him.

    “I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom.

    “When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing.”

    Atiku said he mobilised political structures, built alliances and made enormous personal and political sacrifices that culminated in Obasanjo’s emergence as President after leaving prison, stressing: “Do I regret helping Chief Obasanjo? Absolutely not!

    “When God gives you the opportunity to lift another human being, you do so without expecting repayment. Acts of kindness are matters of conscience, not commercial transactions.

    “If the true history of Chief Obasanjo’s political journey is ever written, free from selective recollection and personal bitterness, Atiku Abubakar will feature prominently as one of those whom God used to change the course of his life and political career.”

    He expressed disappointment that at a time when Nigeria was battling economic hardship, mass unemployment, insecurity and widespread despair, a former President would devote so much energy to recycling old grudges, instead of contributing solutions to the country’s challenges.

    According to him: “The 2027 election should be about rebuilding Nigeria, restoring security, reviving the economy and giving hope to the next generation, not reopening old political wounds.”

    In conclusion, Atiku said although Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions and personal grievances, “he is not entitled to his own facts.”

    Since leaving office in 2007, Obasanjo and Atiku have repeatedly traded accusations over corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal.

    In his memoir, My Watch, published in 2014, Obasanjo accused Atiku of corruption, disloyalty and placing personal ambition above national interest.

    However, Atiku dismissed the allegations, accusing Obasanjo of attempting to rewrite history and portraying himself as the victim of political persecution during their closing years in office.

    Recently, the disagreement resurfaced when Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late former speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5million to begin impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office.

    Obasanjo was responding to comments by former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, on the political developments that preceded the 2003 general elections.

    In his reaction, Atiku accused Obasanjo of fabricating allegations against him to favour his kinsman ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Atiku did not name the kinsman, who many believe to be fellow Yoruba, President Bola Tinubu.

    Obasanjo has openly expressed support for the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.