Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has dismissed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s electoral strength, saying he could not win his own state or the South-West during the 1999 presidential election.
Atiku stated this while speaking with journalists on Wednesday, amid his renewed war of words with Obasanjo over their political relationship and their respective roles in the former president’s emergence in 1999.
“In 1999, he could not even win his own state or the Southwest; it was Arewa that made him president. He possesses no electoral value,” Atiku said.
His statement is part of a renewed dispute between the former president and his former deputy, who have traded accusations over their political relationship and events surrounding the 1999–2007 administration.
The conflict erupted after Obasanjo called Atiku’s selection as his running partner in 1999 the “biggest mistake” of his administration, accusing the former vice president of treachery and involvement in an alleged effort to impeach him.
However, Atiku dismissed the former president’s testimony, accusing him of rewriting history and attempting to utilize the past for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections.
He had also justified his involvement in the administration, claiming that he supported Obasanjo following his release from prison and contributed to the political system that enabled their victory in 1999.
Speaking further about the 2027 election, Atiku emphasized his record of generating opportunities for young Nigerians during his stint as vice president.
He stated that some of them who took advantage of such possibilities later became governors, ministers, directors, and other public officials.
Atiku stated that if elected president in 2027, his administration would continue to provide opportunities for young Nigerians to serve and hold leadership positions.
The former vice president is running for president on the ADC platform, having joined forces with other opposition personalities ahead of the 2027 general election.
