Atiku Replies Obasanjo, Links Criticism to Failed Third-Term Bid: Says He Supported Ex-President After Prison, Rejects Bribery Claim

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is still bitter over the failure of his alleged third-term agenda, insisting that his opposition to the plan helped protect Nigeria's democracy. The remarks came in response to Obasanjo's claim that choosing Atiku as his running mate was the biggest mistake of his presidency.

Daniel Momodu · August 1, 2026 · 34

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a strong rebuttal to recent remarks by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing his former principal of harbouring lingering resentment over the collapse of his alleged third-term agenda.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his media office, Atiku dismissed Obasanjo's latest allegations against him as an attempt to rewrite history, insisting that he remains proud of opposing any move to extend presidential tenure beyond the constitutional limit.

Atiku argued that Obasanjo's continued criticism stems from the failure of the controversial third-term project, describing the former president as "unforgiving and vindictive."

"I have no apology for standing against the third-term agenda. It was the right thing to do for Nigeria's democracy, and history has vindicated that position," Atiku said.

Responding to Obasanjo's recent allegation that he bribed the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na'Abba, to initiate impeachment proceedings against him, Atiku described the claim as baseless and unfair, particularly because the late lawmaker is no longer alive to respond.

He questioned why the allegation was never made while Na'Abba was alive or pursued through legal channels if there had been any evidence to support it.

Atiku also recalled his personal relationship with Obasanjo, saying he supported the former military ruler during his years in prison and after his release.

According to him, when Obasanjo had little after regaining his freedom, he ensured the former president lacked nothing, claiming he "fed and clothed" him until he regained stability.

He maintained that those acts of support were never intended for political gain but said he would not allow history to be distorted or his loyalty erased.

The former vice president insisted that despite the personal attacks, his commitment to democratic principles remains unchanged, adding that opposing any unconstitutional extension of tenure remains one of the defining decisions of his political career.