Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying his latest criticism of him is a failed attempt to rewrite history and driven by personal bitterness.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the ADC Presidential Candidate said Obasanjo’s outburst reflected “the disposition of a man who has allowed personal resentment to cloud historical truth.”
Atiku traced the root of Obasanjo’s hostility to his refusal to support the infamous *third-term agenda* in 2006.“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,” he 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, is bigger than Nigeria. The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty.”Atiku noted that the battle against third term was about preserving democracy, not about two men.
“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict.”He also referenced a tribute by WTO Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who on Friday described the economic team he led under Obasanjo as “the best Nigeria has ever had.”
“While distinguished Nigerians continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them,” Atiku said.
The former VP then recalled his role in Obasanjo’s political rise, saying he stood by the ex-President while he was in prison, supported his family, and later mobilized structures that helped him become President in 1999.“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,” Atiku stated.
“But gratitude should never be replaced with revisionism. If the true history of Chief Obasanjo’s political journey is written, Atiku Abubakar will feature prominently as one of those whom God used to change the course of his life.”Atiku expressed disappointment that instead of proffering solutions to hardship, insecurity and unemployment, Obasanjo was “recycling old grudges.
”He said 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.”“Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions and personal grievances.
What he is not entitled to are his own facts,” Atiku concluded. “History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness. In the end, history will render its verdict — and so will the Nigerian people.”
