ATIKU: OBASANJO LACKED ELECTORAL STRENGTH, AREWA MADE HIM PRESIDENT

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s electoral influence, claiming he could not secure victory in his home state or the South-West during the 1999 presidential election.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Atiku said Obasanjo’s emergence as president was largely due to support from the northern region.

He said, “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.”

The remarks come amid a renewed verbal exchange between Atiku and Obasanjo over their political relationship and their roles in the former president’s emergence and administration between 1999 and 2007.

The dispute escalated after Obasanjo described his decision to pick Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the “biggest mistake” of his presidency, while accusing the former vice president of disloyalty and involvement in an alleged plot to impeach him.

Atiku rejected Obasanjo’s account, accusing him of distorting history and attempting to exploit their past relationship for political gains ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former vice president also defended his contribution to the Obasanjo administration, saying he supported the former president after his release from prison and helped build the political structure that contributed to their victory in 1999.

On the 2027 election, Atiku said his administration would prioritise creating opportunities for young Nigerians to participate in governance and leadership.

He noted that several Nigerians who benefited from opportunities created during his tenure as vice president had gone on to become governors, ministers, directors and other public officeholders.

Atiku is contesting the 2027 presidential election under the ADC after joining forces with other opposition figures.