By Sabiu Abdullahi
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s electoral influence, arguing that he lacked the political strength to secure victory in his home state and the South-West during the 1999 presidential election.
Atiku made the remarks while speaking with journalists on Wednesday amid his renewed disagreement with Obasanjo over their political relationship and the events that preceded their victory in the 1999 presidential election.
“In 1999, he could not even win his own state or the South-West; it was Arewa that made him President. He possesses no electoral value,” Atiku said.
The latest disagreement between the two former political allies follows a series of public accusations over their roles in the administration they jointly led between 1999 and 2007.
The dispute became more intense after Obasanjo described his decision to select Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the “biggest mistake” of his presidency. He also accused the former vice president of disloyalty and involvement in an alleged plan to remove him from office through impeachment.
Atiku rejected Obasanjo’s version of events and accused the former president of distorting history for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former vice president has also defended his contribution to the administration, saying he supported Obasanjo after his release from prison and played a role in establishing the political structure that helped them win the 1999 election.
On the 2027 presidential election, Atiku also pointed to his record of providing opportunities for young Nigerians during his tenure as vice president.
He said some beneficiaries of those opportunities later became governors, ministers, directors and other public officeholders.
Atiku pledged that his administration would continue to provide opportunities for young Nigerians to participate in governance and assume leadership responsibilities if he wins the presidency in 2027.
He is contesting the 2027 presidential election under the ADC after joining forces with other opposition politicians in an effort to challenge the ruling party.