Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent comments, declaring that his opposition to the controversial third-term agenda remains one of the proudest moments of his political career.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he received Obasanjo’s remarks “with profound sadness, not anger,” accusing the former President of attempting to rewrite history.
According to Atiku, the lingering rift between them stemmed from his refusal to support Obasanjo’s alleged bid for a constitutional amendment that would have enabled him to seek a third term in office.
“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and have no apology for resisting every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition,” he said.
The former Vice President described his opposition to the tenure extension plan as “a badge of honour,” insisting that no individual, regardless of status, is greater than Nigeria or its Constitution.
“The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty,” he added.
Atiku maintained that resistance to the third-term agenda was never about personal rivalry but about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that history had already vindicated those who opposed it.
“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate also cited recent remarks credited to the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who, according to him, described the economic management team under the Obasanjo administration as “the best Nigeria has ever had.”
He argued that the timing of Obasanjo’s latest criticism, coming shortly after the commendation, raised questions, while insisting that many senior public officials who served during the administration had continued to acknowledge his contributions to Nigeria’s economic reforms.
Atiku further reflected on his long-standing relationship with the former President, claiming he supported Obasanjo during his imprisonment, stood by his family and played a significant role in mobilising political support that culminated in his election as President in 1999.
Despite their public disagreement, the former Vice President said he had no regrets over his support for Obasanjo.
“When God gives you the opportunity to lift another human being, you do so without expecting repayment. Acts of kindness are matters of conscience, not commercial transactions,” he said.