OBJ

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to choose former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as his running mate as the greatest regret of his political career.

Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, at the launch of Charly Boy’s foundation and the presentation of his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, in Lagos.

Obasanjo and Atiku served together as Nigeria’s president and vice-president between 1999 and 2007. Their relationship, however, deteriorated during Obasanjo’s second term in office.

Reflecting on that period, the former president said he was grateful that Atiku’s actions did not affect his administration or the country.

“The man I picked as my running mate, my number two, if I had known as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him,” he said.

“I mean my vice-president. What I know about him later makes me… thank God because God did not allow his actions and reactions to overwhelm me or to divert my focus from Nigeria or to harm Nigeria.”

Despite his criticism, Obasanjo said he no longer harbours resentment toward his former deputy.

“And then, there is no bitterness because he did things that he believed he should do and God did things He had to do, which made me achieve what I was able to achieve,” he said.

The relationship between the two leaders has remained strained since they left office. Over the years, they have repeatedly exchanged accusations over corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal.

In his 2014 memoir, My Watch, Obasanjo accused Atiku of corruption, disloyalty and placing personal ambition above national interest. Atiku rejected the allegations. He accused the former president of attempting to rewrite history and portray himself as the victim of political persecution during the final years of their administration.

The dispute resurfaced recently after Obasanjo alleged that Atiku gave the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, N5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during his first term in office. Obasanjo made the allegation while responding to comments by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba on events that preceded the 2003 general election.

In response, Atiku accused Obasanjo of fabricating the allegation to benefit his kinsman ahead of the 2027 general election.

Although Atiku did not identify the individual, President Bola Tinubu shares the same Yoruba ethnic background as Obasanjo. However, Obasanjo has publicly declared his support for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

By Anwar Usman

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, said that the country must tackle the pressing issue of the National Library, which has been abandoned for over 18 years, by making sure it’s been completed.

Obasanjo, who delivered a goodwill message at the 60th anniversary of the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, described the library as not only a symbol but also a critical necessity.

The Daily reality reports that the contract for the library, which stands incomplete on Plot 35, Cadastral Business District in the Federal Capital Territory, was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company in 2006 during Obasanjo’s administration.

The contract was worth N8.9 billion, with a stipulated completion period of four years.

However, the former president stated, “As we celebrate this remarkable milestone and embrace new directions, we must also address a pressing challenge: the completion of the National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja.

“The vision for a purpose-built, state-of-the-art national library is not merely a symbolic aspiration; it is a critical necessity for our country. It represents a physical and functional commitment to our collective belief in the transformative power of knowledge in our lives and societies.

“I, therefore, call on all stakeholders – from the government to the private sector and international partners – to prioritise the completion of this vital infrastructure. A fully operational headquarters will serve as a beacon for literacy and learning, a hub for cultural preservation, and a global symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to education and innovation.”

On his part, the national librarian, Professor Veronica Anunobi, while highlighting the achievements of the library, said, “Since 1974, we have issued 1,000,574 International Standard Book Numbers, as well as 27,755 International Serials Numbers since its inception in 1976.

“A greater push was made this year to fulfil our responsibility in the issuance of International Standard Music Numbers, and we were able to issue numbers for published music scores.”