Olusegun Obasanjo Reopens Old Wounds With Atiku: “I Stand Firmly By Them”

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has doubled down on his past criticisms of formere Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying he remains unapologetic despite facing backlash over his comments.

Obasanjo said he had been called names because of what he said about Atiku, whom he described as his former vice president. However, he insisted that his statements were based on what he knew to be true and that he had no intention of withdrawing them.

Olusegun Obasanjo Refuses To Retract His Words

According to Obasanjo, criticism from those who disagreed with his assessment of Atiku has not persuaded him to change his position. The former president maintained that his comments were made from his personal knowledge and experience.

“Those things that I have said about Atiku Abubakar, I stand firmly by them because, to my knowledge, they are true,” Obasanjo said. His statement effectively draws a line under any expectation that he might apologise or soften his earlier remarks.

OLD POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP RETURNS TO THE SPOTLIGHT

Obasanjo and Atiku worked together during Obasanjo’s presidency, with Atiku serving as vice president from 1999 to 2007. Their relationship subsequently became politically complicated, particularly after Atiku’s break with Obasanjo and his decision to pursue the presidency.

Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest comments therefore carry considerable political weight because they come from someone who worked closely with Atiku at the highest level of government. Atiku, a longtime presidential contender, has remained a major figure in Nigerian opposition politics, making Obasanjo’s assessment of his former deputy relevant to continuing debates about leadership and Nigeria’s political future.

The renewed exchange also demonstrates how political relationships can survive long after former allies leave office—with old disagreements occasionally returning to dominate the national conversation. Whether Atiku responds to Obasanjo’s latest defence of his comments remains to be seen, but the former president’s message is unmistakable: he is standing by his words. OGM News NG will continue to monitor the political reactions and any response from Atiku Abubakar.