Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to criticisms from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, suggesting the former leader’s hostility is fueled by a long-standing grudge regarding the unsuccessful third-term project. Through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stated that he viewed Obasanjo’s recent remarks with sadness rather than anger, arguing they represent a distortion of historical events driven by personal spite.
Reflecting on their past, Atiku noted his support for Obasanjo during the latter’s imprisonment, including caring for his family and providing for his needs upon his release. Atiku emphasized that his opposition to the third-term bid was an act of loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution rather than a personal slight. He maintained that he views this stand as a point of pride, noting that the democratic process is more significant than any single individual’s ambitions.
Furthermore, Atiku highlighted recent praise from WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding his past economic management, contrasting this with Obasanjo’s efforts to minimize his contributions. While Atiku stated he does not regret his past assistance to Obasanjo, noting that kindness should be guided by conscience, he warned that he would no longer remain silent in the face of inaccurate historical claims. He concluded that his focus remains on addressing current national challenges like economic instability and insecurity rather than rehashing past conflicts.
