2027: “No regrets helping Obasanjo out of prison, reviving his political career”, Says Atiku
*Vows to oppose third-term bid again
By KEMI KASUMU
“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.”
Nigeria’s former Vice President and 2027 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has launched a strong rebuttal to the recent comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo; declaring that he has no regrets for opposing his controversial Third Term Agenda, and insisting that his loyalty has always been to Nigeria and her Constitution.
In a statement issued on Saturday August 1, 2026 by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Obasanjo’s latest public remarks as “another failed attempt to rewrite history”, saying that, the former President’s comments were driven by “personal resentment”, rather than historical facts.
Rather than expressing anger, Atiku said that he watched Obasanjo’s recent interview “with profound sadness”, arguing that, it reflected “the disposition of a man who has allowed personal resentment to cloud historical truth”.
The former Vice President maintained that Obasanjo’s longstanding hostility towards him, stemmed from his refusal to support the former President’s alleged bid for a Third Term in Office.
His exact words: “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.”
According to Atiku, the battle against the Third-Term agenda was never about personalities, but about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict”, Atiku stated.
He also referenced the recent remarks by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who according to him, praised the Economic Management Team he led during the Obasanjo administration as “the best Nigeria has ever had”.
He suggested also that Obasanjo’s latest criticism came barely 24 hours after the WTO Chief’s commendation.
Atiku noted: “Whether or not the timing is merely coincidental, is for Nigerians to judge. What is beyond dispute, however, is that while distinguished Nigerians who served at the highest levels continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them.”
The ADC Presidential Candidate further claimed that history would remember his role in helping Obasanjo both before and after the latter’s release from prison.
According to him, he stood by Obasanjo during his incarceration, supported his family, worked for his release, and later assisted him in rebuilding his political career.
“History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom.
“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.”
Despite those claims, Atiku said that he harbours no regrets.
“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”, Atiku stated.
However, he warned against what he described as attempts to distort history, saying: “If the true history of Chief Obasanjo’s political journey is ever written—free from selective recollection and personal bitterness—Atiku Abubakar will feature prominently as one of those whom God used to change the course of his life and political career.”
Atiku also faulted Obasanjo for dwelling on past political disagreements, instead of focusing on Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges.
He said: “The 2027 election should be about rebuilding Nigeria, restoring security, reviving the economy and giving hope to the next generation—not reopening old political wounds.”
While stressing that he had remained silent for years out of respect for the former President and the Office he once occupied, Atiku stated that his restraint should not be interpreted as weakness.
“There comes a point when silence in the face of repeated distortions of history ceases to be a virtue”, he said.
He concluded by insisting that although Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions, he is not entitled to alter historical facts, noting: “Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions. He is entitled to his personal grievances. What he is not entitled to, are his own facts.”
Reaffirming his focus on the 2027 elections, Atiku said that he remains committed to national renewal, rather than personal disputes.
He concluded: “I have chosen the path of service over resentment, vision over vendetta and national renewal over personal recrimination.
“History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness, nor erased by repeated falsehoods. In the end, history will render its verdict—and so will the Nigerian people.”
