Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has defended his political legacy after former President Olusegun Obasanjo described choosing him as his running mate in 1999 as the biggest mistake of his administration.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Atiku rejected the criticism, saying history would remember his commitment to constitutional democracy and his contributions to Obasanjo’s emergence as president.
The former vice-president recalled supporting Obasanjo during his imprisonment under the military government, assisting his family and joining other democracy advocates in campaigns for his release.
He also claimed that after Obasanjo regained his freedom, he personally assisted him and later mobilised political structures that helped secure his election as president in 1999.
Atiku insisted that his refusal to support the alleged third-term agenda remains one of the proudest decisions of his political career.
Read Also: Only One-Third of Gas Producers Serving Local Market, Says NUPRC
According to him, Nigeria’s Constitution must always take precedence over personal relationships and political loyalty.
He argued that democracy triumphed because many Nigerians rejected any attempt to extend presidential tenure outside constitutional provisions.
The former vice-president also referred to recent remarks attributed to WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praising the economic management team that served during the Obasanjo administration, saying such recognition reflected the role he played in government.
Atiku said he had remained silent for years out of respect for Obasanjo but decided to respond because repeated distortions of historical events could no longer go unanswered.
He concluded by saying that Nigeria should focus on rebuilding its economy, tackling insecurity and creating opportunities for citizens ahead of the 2027 general election instead of revisiting old political conflicts.