Atiku Accuses Obasanjo of Distorting History, Defends Role in Third-Term Battle

Atiku Accuses Obasanjo of Distorting History, Defends Role in Third-Term Battle

 

ABUJA – Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of attempting to rewrite history, insisting that he has no regrets for opposing the controversial third-term agenda during the Obasanjo administration.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Obasanjo’s recent public comments reflected “personal resentment” rather than historical facts.

According to the former vice president, his opposition to the third-term agenda was driven by his commitment to Nigeria’s Constitution and democratic principles.

“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 maintained that no individual was greater than Nigeria, stressing that democracy ultimately triumphed over what he described as an unconstitutional bid to extend presidential tenure.

Atiku also claimed that the hostility between him and Obasanjo stemmed from his refusal to support the third-term project, saying he would wear any resentment arising from that decision “as a badge of honour.”

The former vice president further argued that history would remember the constitutional struggle as a victory for democracy rather than a personal feud between two political figures.

Atiku also referenced recent remarks by Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reportedly praised the economic management team under the Obasanjo administration, saying the commendation underscored the contributions made during his tenure as vice president.

He alleged that despite such recognition, Obasanjo remained determined to downplay his role in what he described as one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management.

The ADC presidential candidate also recalled supporting Obasanjo during his imprisonment under the late military regime, claiming he assisted his family, worked for his release, and later helped mobilise political structures that contributed to Obasanjo’s emergence as president in 1999.

While saying he did not regret those efforts, Atiku warned against what he described as attempts to replace gratitude with historical revisionism.

He expressed disappointment that, at a time when Nigeria faces economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment, a former president was focusing on old political disagreements instead of offering solutions to national challenges.

“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,” he said.

Atiku added that although he had maintained silence over the years out of respect for Obasanjo and the office he once occupied, he would no longer allow what he called repeated distortions of history to go unanswered.

He concluded by saying his focus remained on Nigeria’s future, declaring that “history is stubborn” and that both history and the Nigerian people would ultimately deliver their verdict.

Atiku Accuses Obasanjo of Distorting History, Defends Role in Third-Term Battle