Picking Atiku As Vice President Was My Biggest Mistake — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to choose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the biggest mistake of his political career.

Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with veteran musician and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, at an event held in Lagos to unveil Charly Boy’s foundation and his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

Reflecting on his years in office, the former president said that, looking back, he would not have selected Atiku as his vice-presidential candidate if given another opportunity.

He stated that although his relationship with Atiku later deteriorated, he remained grateful that the disagreements between them did not prevent his administration from pursuing its goals or delivering on its programmes.

Obasanjo also said he harboured no resentment over the events that unfolded during and after their time in government, adding that he was satisfied with what his administration achieved while he was in office.

During the discussion, the former president also addressed questions about his ancestry, stating that his family originated from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

He said he still knows the location of his family house in the city, dismissing recurring claims questioning his roots.

The event attracted several prominent personalities from different sectors, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

Also in attendance were business leader Leo Stan Ekeh, who donated N20 million each on behalf of Obasanjo and Chief Anyaoku, book reviewer Dr. Austin Tam-George, veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo and other distinguished guests.

Obasanjo and Atiku were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and jointly served as President and Vice President until the end of their administration in 2007.

However, their political alliance later collapsed during their second term following disagreements over governance and other political issues, leading to years of public exchanges and rivalry.