Atiku to Obasanjo: You’re bitter because I stopped your third-term agenda

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of attempting to rewrite history, insisting that no amount of personal resentment can erase his role in defending Nigeria’s democracy or the support he gave Obasanjo before he became president.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he received Obasanjo’s recent remarks with sadness rather than anger, describing them as the views of a man whose judgment has been clouded by personal bitterness.

According to Atiku, the source of Obasanjo’s hostility is his refusal to support the former president’s alleged third-term agenda while they were 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,” he said.

He maintained that opposing any attempt to amend the Constitution for personal political gain remains one of the defining moments of his public life.

“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.”

Atiku argued that the struggle against the alleged third-term bid was not about personalities but about safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic future.

“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict.”

He also referenced recent comments by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reportedly described the economic management team he led as one of the best Nigeria has ever had.

According to Atiku, while respected public figures continue to acknowledge his contributions to Nigeria’s economic development, Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them.

“Chief Obasanjo may choose not to appreciate my role in building one of Nigeria’s most prosperous economic eras, but history has been far kinder. The record speaks for itself.”

The former vice president also recounted the role he claimed to have played during Obasanjo’s incarceration under the military regime.

According to him, he supported Obasanjo’s family, worked for his release, received him after his freedom, provided him with material assistance and helped build the political alliances that eventually led to his emergence as Nigeria’s president in 1999.

“When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing.”

He stressed that he has no regrets over those actions.

“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.”

However, Atiku said gratitude should never be replaced with what he described as revisionism.

“If the true history of Chief Obasanjo’s political journey is ever written—free from selective recollection and personal bitterness—Atiku Abubakar will feature prominently as one of those whom God used to change the course of his life and political career.”

The former vice president expressed disappointment that, amid Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges, a former president would focus on reviving old political disputes.

“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.”

Atiku said he had deliberately remained silent over the years out of respect for Obasanjo and the office he once occupied, but warned that his restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

“There comes a point when silence in the face of repeated distortions of history ceases to be a virtue.”

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Nigeria’s future, saying his focus remains on national renewal rather than personal disputes.

“History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness, nor erased by repeated falsehoods. In the end, history will render its verdict—and so will the Nigerian people.”