Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have reignited their long-running political rivalry, exchanging fresh accusations over an alleged impeachment plot and the controversial third-term debate as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather pace.
Obasanjo alleged 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.
The former president made the claim while responding to remarks by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba on events leading to the 2003 general election.
Obasanjo alleged that the impeachment move originated within the presidency after Atiku held a private meeting with Na’Abba while he was away from the office.
He claimed Atiku persuaded the late speaker that he should serve only one term as president and encouraged him to begin impeachment proceedings.
“Na’Abba’s impeachment began at the presidency by the Vice-President… Atiku invited Na’Abba; he gave him ₦5 million to begin his impeachment work. It was all noted, recorded and reported to me by my Chief of Staff, a professional intelligence officer,” Obasanjo said.
He added that the alleged meeting and payment were documented and reported to him by his chief of staff, stressing that he was never worried about the impeachment threat because he believed there were no constitutional grounds for his removal.
Atiku rejects allegation
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the allegation, questioning why Obasanjo raised the claim only after Na’Abba’s death.
He argued that the late former speaker could no longer defend himself against the accusation.
“If this allegation were true, why did he never make it while Rt. Hon. Na’Abba was alive? Why wait until the only man who could confirm or refute the claim has departed this world?” the statement read.
Atiku also challenged Obasanjo to explain why no legal action was taken against him if there had been evidence of wrongdoing at the time.
He described the allegation as an attempt to damage his reputation and influence political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Third-term controversy resurfaces
The former vice-president maintained that his opposition to Obasanjo’s failed third-term agenda remained the source of their political differences.
“My offence was that I stood firmly against the unconstitutional third-term agenda. As a democrat, I chose the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” Atiku said.
He added that the legal battles arising from that period had become part of Nigeria’s democratic history and suggested that Obasanjo still harboured resentment over the episode.
‘Nigerians deserve solutions’
Atiku said he would remain focused on addressing pressing national challenges rather than engaging in disputes over events that occurred more than two decades ago.
He argued that Nigerians were more concerned about rising food prices, insecurity, unemployment and increasing public debt than old political disagreements.
The former vice-president added that while Obasanjo was entitled to support any candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, such support should be expressed openly rather than through allegations involving a deceased public figure.
