Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s remark that choosing him as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election was the greatest mistake of his presidency.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Obasanjo’s comments as “another failed attempt to rewrite history.”
Atiku argued that the former president’s criticism stems from his opposition to the controversial third-term agenda during Obasanjo’s administration.
“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.
He added:
“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 Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty.”
The former vice president maintained that his opposition to the third-term bid was driven by a commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional order.
Atiku also reflected on his relationship with Obasanjo, saying he stood firmly by the former president during his period of imprisonment and played a significant role in supporting his family, advocating for his release and helping to rebuild his political career.
Despite the eventual breakdown of their relationship, Atiku said he harbours no regrets over the support he gave Obasanjo at the time.
The response follows Obasanjo’s recent remarks during a public event in Lagos, where the former president described selecting Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the “greatest mistake” of his political career, while stating that he held no bitterness over the fallout between them.