Isaac Samuel
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday hit back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, declaring that although he stood by and supported him when he was imprisoned and later “clothed” him after his release, he chose Nigeria over personal loyalty by resisting the controversial third-term agenda.
Atiku’s response came barely 24 hours after Obasanjo described picking him as vice president in 1999 as the biggest mistake of his presidency, saying he would not have chosen him had he known him better.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said he watched Obasanjo’s interview with “profound sadness, not anger,” arguing that it reflected the disposition of a man whose personal resentment had clouded historical facts.
He maintained that the genesis of Obasanjo’s hostility towards him was well known to Nigerians and was rooted in his refusal to support what he described as an unconstitutional third-term bid.
“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition.
“If Chief Obasanjo’s bitterness stems from my refusal to support an unconstitutional third term, then I wear that resentment as a badge of honour. No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty,” Atiku said.
According to him, the struggle against the third-term agenda was never about personal differences but about safeguarding Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict,” he added.
Atiku said it was ironic that the same person whose alleged third-term ambition was resisted now sought to pass judgment on those who defended the Constitution.
He also drew attention to comments made barely 24 hours earlier by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who, according to him, described the economic management team he led as “the best Nigeria has ever had.”
While leaving Nigerians to judge whether the timing of both developments was coincidental, Atiku said respected public figures who served in that administration continued to acknowledge his contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management.
“Chief Obasanjo may choose not to appreciate my role in building one of Nigeria’s most prosperous economic eras, but history has been far kinder. The record speaks for itself, and so do the testimonies of those who worked closely with that administration,” he said.
The former Vice President also recalled his relationship with Obasanjo before the latter became President in 1999, saying he stood by him during his imprisonment and supported his family throughout the period.
He claimed that after Obasanjo regained his freedom, he helped him rebuild both personally and politically.
“When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing.
“Beyond that, I mobilised political structures, built alliances and made enormous personal and political sacrifices that culminated in his emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Atiku said.
Despite the current disagreement between them, Atiku said he had no regrets over the support he gave the former President.
“Do I regret helping Chief Obasanjo? Absolutely not. 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 stated.
