African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday labelled former President Olusegun Obasanjo unforgiving and vindictive as the hostility between the former allies appeared to degenerate.
Atiku, vice president to Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, said the latest tirade against him by his former boss was more of ‘personal resentment’ than historical truth.
The ex-president, speaking at the Friday unveiling of the foundation and memoirs of musician/activist Charly Boy, had described his choice of Atiku as running mate in 1999 as the biggest mistake of his life.
“Mistake when I was in government? The man I picked as my running mate, my number two — if I had known him as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him,” Obasanjo said in response to a question by his host.
“Thank God his actions and reactions did not overwhelm me or divert my own focus from Nigeria.
However, Atiku in his reaction yesterday, said Obasanjo was only attempting to rewrite history.
The former vice president said his only offence was opposing alleged attempt by Obasanjo to have a third term in office.
“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 said in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
Continuing, Atiku said: “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.
“No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“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.
The former vice president said he had deliberately maintained restraint over the years out of respect for the office Obasanjo once occupied and in deference to the relationship they once shared.
“That restraint should never be mistaken for weakness or docility.”
