Atiku Defends Role in Blocking Obasanjo’s Third-Term Agenda
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent criticism, insisting he has no regrets over opposing the controversial third-term agenda during the Obasanjo administration, describing his decision as a defence of Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional order.
Atiku’s reaction followed Obasanjo’s comments on Friday in Lagos, where the former president described choosing Atiku as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the biggest mistake of his presidency.
In a statement released on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Obasanjo’s remarks amounted to an attempt to rewrite history.
He maintained that resisting the proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed Obasanjo to seek a third term remains one of the defining moments of his political career.
“I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition. I stood with the Constitution and chose Nigeria above personal loyalty,” Atiku said.
According to him, the battle against the third-term agenda was not a personal disagreement but a struggle to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future.
“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict,” he added.
Atiku also recalled his relationship with Obasanjo before they assumed office, claiming he stood firmly by the former president while he was imprisoned and continued to support him after his release.
He said he assisted Obasanjo during a difficult period, helped him regain stability and worked with political allies to facilitate his emergence as Nigeria’s president in 1999.
Despite the current strained relationship between them, Atiku said he has no regrets about offering that support.
“When God gives you the opportunity to help another person, you do so without expecting repayment. Acts of kindness should never be transactional,” he stated.
The former vice president further referenced recent remarks by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who he said acknowledged the achievements of the economic management team under the Obasanjo administration.
He argued that while others continue to recognise his contributions to Nigeria’s economic reforms, Obasanjo appears focused on diminishing his role.
Atiku also expressed concern that Nigeria’s pressing national challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment, should be the priority ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than renewed political disagreements.
He stressed that although he had remained silent for years out of respect for Obasanjo and the office he once occupied, he would no longer ignore what he described as repeated distortions of historical events.
According to him, history cannot be altered by personal grievances, adding that Nigerians would ultimately judge the records and contributions of those who have served the country.
