‘I Clothed, Fed You,’ Atiku Fires Back at Obasanjo

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent remarks about their political relationship, saying he stood by the former leader during difficult times and helped him rebuild his life after his release from prison.

Atiku’s response followed Obasanjo’s claim that choosing him as vice president was the greatest mistake of his political career.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he received Obasanjo’s comments with sadness rather than anger.

The former vice president recalled that he remained loyal to Obasanjo while the former military ruler was imprisoned, supporting both him and his family during that period. According to Atiku, after Obasanjo regained his freedom, he provided assistance that included meeting his basic needs and helping him regain stability before they later worked together to build the political alliance that brought Obasanjo to power in 1999.

Atiku maintained that he never regretted the support he gave, describing it as an act of goodwill rather than a favour that required repayment.

He also dismissed suggestions that their longstanding political disagreement was unrelated to the failed third-term agenda pursued during Obasanjo’s administration.

According to Atiku, his opposition to any attempt to extend the presidential tenure beyond the constitutional limit remains one of the decisions he is most proud of.

He said his stand was driven by the need to protect Nigeria’s democracy and uphold the Constitution, insisting that no individual should place personal ambition above the nation’s laws.

The former vice president argued that the battle against the proposed third-term agenda was not a personal dispute between him and Obasanjo but a collective effort to preserve democratic governance in the country.

Atiku further referred to recent comments by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reportedly praised the economic management team that served during the Obasanjo administration.

He questioned why fresh criticism was being directed at him despite continued recognition from other former public officials who served during that period.

The former vice president said he found it disappointing that attention was being given to old political disagreements at a time when Nigerians were facing serious economic challenges, unemployment and insecurity.

He urged political leaders to focus on addressing the country’s pressing problems instead of reopening past conflicts, adding that discussions ahead of the 2027 general election should centre on rebuilding Nigeria.

Atiku also stated that although he had remained silent on many issues involving Obasanjo out of respect for the office of the former president, there was a limit to such restraint.

He insisted that while everyone is entitled to personal opinions, historical events cannot be altered by repeated claims or political disagreements.

According to him, history will ultimately determine the true account of events, just as Nigerians will make their own judgment.