I would not have picked him’ — Obasanjo launches fresh attack on Atiku

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to select Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in 1999 as the greatest mistake of his political career, reopening one of Nigeria’s longest-running disputes between two former national leaders.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Friday, during a fireside conversation with veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos. The event marked the unveiling of the Charly Boy Foundation and the presentation of 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

The former president and Atiku governed Nigeria together for two terms between May 1999 and May 2007, but their relationship deteriorated as political disagreements, allegations of disloyalty and competing ambitions divided the administration.

Reflecting on their years in office, Obasanjo said the information he later obtained about Atiku would have prevented him from choosing the former Adamawa State governor as his vice-president.

“The man I picked as my running mate, my number two, if I had known as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him,” Obasanjo said.

He added that he remained grateful that the actions and reactions of his deputy did not derail his administration or cause what he considered lasting harm to Nigeria.

Obasanjo, however, insisted that he was not speaking out of bitterness, saying Atiku acted according to his convictions while circumstances allowed him to remain focused on his responsibilities as president.

The latest remarks follow a renewed exchange between the former allies. Obasanjo recently alleged that Atiku gave the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term.

Atiku rejected the allegation, questioning why Obasanjo waited until Na’Abba was dead and unable to defend himself before making the claim. He accused the former president of attempting to damage his reputation and influence the political contest ahead of the 2027 election.

SOURCE: NEWSSCROLL