Atiku Fires Back at Obasanjo, Defends Role in 1999 Victory and Opposition to Third-Term Agenda

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has strongly responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest criticism, rejecting claims that Obasanjo made a mistake by choosing him as running mate in the 1999 presidential election. Atiku described the remarks as a deliberate attempt to rewrite the history of their political relationship, insisting that he played a significant role in Obasanjo’s return to power and remained one of his strongest allies before and after the end of military rule.

The exchange marks another chapter in the long-running political feud between two of Nigeria’s most influential political figures, whose alliance helped usher in the country’s Fourth Republic but later collapsed amid disagreements over governance, constitutional democracy, and political succession.

In a statement released on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku defended his record in government and maintained that history would ultimately vindicate his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The response came a day after Obasanjo publicly described his decision to select Atiku as his vice-presidential candidate in 1999 as the greatest mistake of his presidency.

The former president made the remarks during a fireside conversation with veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos. The event was organised to commemorate the unveiling of Charly Boy’s foundation and his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

Reacting to the comments, Atiku said Obasanjo’s latest criticism represented “another failed attempt to rewrite history,” insisting that the historical record clearly reflected the sacrifices he made for the former president and for Nigeria’s democracy.

According to Atiku, his commitment to democratic governance and constitutional order was demonstrated during the controversy surrounding the alleged third-term agenda under the Obasanjo administration.

He stated that he had no regrets whatsoever for opposing any move aimed at extending the tenure of an elected president beyond constitutional limits.

“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,” Atiku declared.

The former vice-president argued that his decision was motivated by loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution rather than personal political interests.

He further stated that if Obasanjo’s continued resentment stemmed from his refusal to support an unconstitutional extension of presidential tenure, he considered such criticism a badge of honour.

“If Chief Obasanjo’s bitterness stems from my refusal to support an unconstitutional third term, then I wear that resentment as a badge of honour,” he said.

“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 stressed that the disagreement over the third-term agenda was never merely a personal conflict between himself and Obasanjo but a defining moment for Nigeria’s democratic development.

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According to him, Nigerians ultimately rejected any attempt to alter constitutional provisions for personal political ambition, thereby strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.

“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict,” he added.

The former vice-president also used the opportunity to recall his relationship with Obasanjo during one of the former president’s most difficult periods under military rule.

He claimed that while Obasanjo was imprisoned by the military government, he remained one of his loyal supporters, providing assistance to his family and working alongside other pro-democracy advocates to secure his release.

“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,” Atiku said.

According to Atiku, his support did not end with Obasanjo’s release from prison.

He claimed that upon regaining his freedom, Obasanjo had very limited personal resources, prompting him to provide financial, emotional, and political assistance to help him rebuild his life.

“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 stated.

The former vice-president further asserted that he played a decisive role in Obasanjo’s emergence as Nigeria’s president in 1999 by mobilising political structures, building strategic alliances, and making significant personal and political sacrifices that contributed to the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Beyond that, I mobilised political structures, built alliances and made enormous personal and political sacrifices that culminated in his emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Despite the eventual breakdown of their relationship, Atiku maintained that he had no regrets over the assistance he rendered to Obasanjo.

According to him, helping another person should never be viewed as a commercial transaction or an investment expecting future rewards.

“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,” he said.

“Acts of kindness are matters of conscience, not commercial transactions.”

Nevertheless, Atiku argued that expressions of gratitude should not be replaced by what he described as attempts to distort historical facts for political convenience.

The former vice-president also referenced recent comments reportedly made by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who served in the Obasanjo administration.

According to Atiku, her remarks recognising the achievements of the economic management team under his leadership reinforced the contributions he made during the administration.

He suggested that respected public officials who served during that period continued to acknowledge his role in implementing economic reforms, despite efforts to diminish his contributions.

“Whether or not the timing is merely coincidental is for Nigerians to judge,” Atiku stated.

“What is beyond dispute, however, is that while distinguished Nigerians who served at the highest levels continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them.”

Turning to the country’s present challenges, Atiku criticised the decision to revisit old political disagreements at a time when Nigeria faces widespread insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and economic hardship.

He argued that national attention should instead focus on finding solutions to the country’s pressing problems ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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,” he said.

Atiku also explained that he had remained silent over previous comments made by Obasanjo out of respect for the former president and the office he once occupied.

However, he said there comes a point when silence can no longer be justified in the face of repeated attempts to alter historical facts.

“There comes a point when silence in the face of repeated distortions of history ceases to be a virtue,” he declared.

“Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions. He is entitled to his personal grievances. What he is not entitled to are his own facts.”

Concluding his statement, Atiku maintained that his primary concern remains Nigeria’s future rather than engaging in personal political disputes.

He expressed confidence that history would accurately record the events surrounding his relationship with Obasanjo and his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy.

“History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness, nor erased by repeated falsehoods,” he said.