Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has has again hit at his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 polls, saying that his decision to choose the Waziri Adamawa as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election was the biggest mistake of his political career.
Obasanjo, who stated this on Friday in Lagos at the unveiling of veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa’s (Charly Boy) foundation and memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, said that if he had known Atiku better before assuming office, he would not have in any way chose him as his running mate.
Obasanjo and Atiku served as President and Vice President respectively from 1999 to 2007 before their relationship went sour over second term and third term bid of then President Obasanjo.
The former President however, said that he harboured no ill feelings towards Atiku, adding that that their political differences did not distract him from his administration’s objectives.
In the word of Obasanjo; “There is no bitterness. He did what he believed he should do, and God did what He needed to do, which enabled me to achieve what I was able to achieve”.
Obasanjo had in 2022 made similar comments when he told students in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that choosing Atiku as his running mate was among the genuine mistakes he made in public life.
The former President latest remarks come days after he traded words with Atiku over his (Obasanjo) allegation that his former Vice President allegedly bribed late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, with N5 million to facilitate his impeachment before the 2003 general elections.
However, Atiku in a quick response, described Obasanjo’s allegation as false and unfair, stressing that Na’Abba was no longer alive to respond to the frivolous claims.
While speaking at the Friday event, Obasanjo reflected on the Nigerian Civil War, and rejected claims that the conflict was akin to genocide, stressing that the military campaign was aimed at preserving Nigeria’s unity.
The former President further said that he deliberately took steps to minimise civilian casualties during the war.
Obasanjo specifically debunked speculation about his ancestry, emphasising that his father and mother hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The event was attended by several prominent personalities, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate for 2027 election, Mr Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, among others.
