Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pushed back against recent remarks by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he supported and cared for him after his release from prison.
Obasanjo had recently described choosing Atiku as his vice president as his “greatest regret,” reigniting a long-running political rift.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he received Obasanjo after his release, providing support and helping him rebuild his life and political network.
He also rejected criticism linked to the failed third-term agenda during Obasanjo’s presidency, insisting his opposition was a defence of Nigeria’s constitution and democracy.
Atiku said he viewed Obasanjo’s comments with “sadness rather than anger,” attributing the renewed attacks to lingering resentment over that period.
The former vice president maintained that his actions were guided by principle, adding that the debate over the third-term bid was about protecting democratic norms, not personal rivalry.
He further questioned the timing of the criticism, noting recent positive assessments of his role in Nigeria’s past economic management.
Atiku, who recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, urged political leaders to focus on addressing current challenges such as economic hardship and insecurity rather than revisiting past disputes.
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