2027 election: Atiku accuses Obasanjo of reviving false allegations to favour preferred candidate

2027 election: Atiku accuses Obasanjo of reviving false allegations to favour preferred candidate

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of reviving what he described as false allegations against him to create political advantage for his “kinsman” ahead of the 2027 general election.

The fresh exchange marks another chapter in the long-running political rivalry between the two former allies, whose relationship has remained strained since the closing years of the Obasanjo administration.

The latest dispute was triggered by Obasanjo’s claim that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, ₦5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office.

Obasanjo made the allegation while reflecting on political developments leading to the 2003 general election. According to the former president, Atiku allegedly held a private meeting with Na’Abba, encouraged him to ensure he served only one term as president, and later provided funds to commence impeachment proceedings.

The former president also claimed that the alleged meeting and payment were documented and reported to him by his then Chief of Staff, whom he described as a trained intelligence officer.

However, Atiku has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless, politically motivated and designed to influence public perception ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the accusations were nothing more than an attempt to rewrite history for political purposes.

READ ALSO:

• Alleged Coup Plot: How Attack on Aso Rock, Airports Was Planned — Court Documents
• Gumi Questions FG’s Refusal To Dialogue With Bandits, Boko Haram, Cites Niger Delta Precedent
• Police deny IGP Olatunji Disu issued shoot-on-sight order for illegal firearm carriers

According to Atiku, the timing of the allegations raises questions, coming at a period when political consultations and alignments ahead of the next general election are gathering momentum.

He argued that the claims were intended to damage his credibility while giving an unfair political advantage to a preferred presidential hopeful whom he referred to as Obasanjo’s “kinsman.”

Although Atiku did not identify the individual, he maintained that Nigerians would not be deceived by what he described as recycled accusations that had resurfaced more than two decades after the events in question.

The former vice president also questioned why no criminal investigation or prosecution was initiated during Obasanjo’s administration if there had been credible evidence that he bribed the former Speaker.

According to him, the federal government at the time controlled all relevant security and anti-corruption agencies and had sufficient authority to investigate or prosecute anyone found guilty of such an offence.

He argued that the absence of any legal action undermines the credibility of the latest allegations.

Atiku further criticised Obasanjo for making allegations involving the late Na’Abba, saying it was inappropriate to rely on the name of someone who is no longer alive to confirm or deny the claims.

He described the development as contrary to African values, arguing that the dead should not be drawn into political controversies because they cannot defend themselves.

The former vice president also revisited the political disagreements that strained his relationship with Obasanjo while they were in office.

He insisted that their fallout was rooted in his opposition to the controversial third-term agenda, which sought constitutional changes that would have allowed Obasanjo to remain in office beyond the two-term constitutional limit.

Atiku said he resisted the proposal through lawful and democratic means because he believed protecting Nigeria’s constitutional democracy was more important than personal political interests.

According to him, the latest allegations appear to reflect lingering resentment over his opposition to the third-term bid rather than a genuine effort to establish historical facts.

The ADC presidential candidate also stated that Obasanjo is constitutionally free to support any candidate of his choice ahead of the 2027 election, but urged him to do so openly instead of reviving allegations that cannot be independently verified because the principal witness, Na’Abba, is deceased.

He added that he would not allow himself to be distracted by prolonged exchanges over events that occurred more than two decades ago while millions of Nigerians are grappling with pressing national challenges.

According to Atiku, the country’s priority should be addressing rising inflation, economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and governance issues rather than reopening old political disputes.

The renewed war of words comes as political parties continue consultations, coalition talks and strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with several leading politicians expected to declare their presidential ambitions in the coming months.

Political observers believe exchanges between prominent figures such as Atiku and Obasanjo are likely to shape public discourse as preparations for the next election gather pace.

2027 election: Atiku accuses Obasanjo of reviving false allegations to favour preferred candidate