Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called former Vice President Atiku Abubakar his biggest political mistake, reigniting a long-standing feud between the two Nigerian leaders (businessday.ng). In a recent public statement, Obasanjo expressed deep regret over selecting Atiku as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election, a decision he now describes as a critical error in his political career. The remarks come amid renewed tensions between the former leaders, with Atiku responding by accusing Obasanjo of lingering bitterness over the collapse of his third-term bid years ago (vanguardngr.com).
Atiku has denied Obasanjo’s claims, insisting that the former president’s latest criticism is rooted in unresolved grievances. He has also pointed to past disagreements, including Obasanjo’s opposition to his bid for a third term in office. The exchange highlights the ongoing political rivalry between the two figures, who have long been at odds over various leadership and policy decisions. Meanwhile, Atiku remains a prominent presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 election, with his credentials recently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alongside those of other candidates (leadership.ng).
