Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying no amount of criticism can erase his role in stopping the controversial third-term agenda or his support for Obasanjo before he became president.
Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He said he watched Obasanjo’s recent interview with sadness, not anger, because it reflected personal resentment rather than historical truth.
Atiku said many Nigerians already know why Obasanjo remains hostile toward him, insisting that he proudly opposed the third-term agenda because he chose to defend the Constitution and Nigeria’s democracy instead of personal loyalty.
He said he has no regrets for resisting what he described as an unconstitutional bid for a third term.
According to him, no individual stands above the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and history has already judged that battle in favour of democracy.
Atiku said it was significant that the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, praised the economic management team he led just a day before Obasanjo’s latest comments.
He said many respected Nigerians continue to acknowledge his contributions to one of Nigeria’s strongest economic periods.
Atiku also recalled his relationship with Obasanjo before the former president returned to power. He said he supported Obasanjo’s family while he was in prison, worked for his release, received and cared for him after his freedom, and helped build the political alliances that led to his election as president.
He stressed that he does not regret offering that support. However, he said gratitude should never give way to what he described as attempts to rewrite history.
Atiku said Nigeria faces more urgent challenges, including economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and widespread despair.
He argued that political leaders should focus on rebuilding the country ahead of the 2027 election instead of reviving old disputes.
He added that he had remained silent for years out of respect for Obasanjo and the office he once held. However, he said that silence should not be mistaken for weakness, adding that he would continue to challenge what he described as false claims.
Atiku maintained that Obasanjo has a right to his opinions but not to alter historical facts. He said his focus remains on national renewal, insisting that history and the Nigerian people will ultimately deliver the final judgment.
External Links
African Democratic Congress (ADC): https://adc.org.ng
World Trade Organization (WTO): https://www.wto.org
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): https://www.inecnigeria.org
