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The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has questioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s electoral influence, arguing that he lacked sufficient support to win his home state or the South-West during the 1999 presidential election.
Atiku made the remarks on Wednesday while responding to Obasanjo’s recent criticism of their political relationship and his role in the emergence of the former president as Nigeria’s leader in 1999.
According to Atiku, Obasanjo’s victory was largely made possible by support from northern Nigeria rather than his electoral strength in the South-West.
“In 1999, he could not even win his own state or the South-West; it was Arewa that made him President. He possesses no electoral value,” Atiku said.
The comments have further escalated the public disagreement between the former president and his erstwhile deputy, who have recently exchanged accusations over their time in office between 1999 and 2007.
The latest dispute followed Obasanjo’s description of his decision to select Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the “biggest mistake” of his presidency.
Obasanjo also accused his former deputy of disloyalty and alleged involvement in an attempt to remove him from office through impeachment.
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Atiku has rejected the former president’s account, accusing Obasanjo of distorting the history of their administration and using their past political relationship for advantage ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The former vice-president has maintained that he played a significant role in Obasanjo’s political emergence after the latter was released from prison, including helping to build the political structure that contributed to their victory in 1999.
Turning to the forthcoming election, Atiku also highlighted what he described as his record of empowering young Nigerians during his tenure as vice-president.
He said some of the beneficiaries of those opportunities later rose to become governors, ministers, directors and other public officials.
Atiku pledged that a government led by him in 2027 would continue creating opportunities for young Nigerians to participate in governance and assume leadership positions.
He is seeking the presidency on the ADC platform after joining forces with other opposition figures as part of efforts to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general election.
