Atiku: I fed Obasanjo’s family when he was in prison, clothed him after his release

Former vice president and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reminded former President Olusegun Obasanjo that he fed and clothed him, and stood by him and his family during his years in prison.

Abubakar made the revelation in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

His revelation came on the heels of Obasanjo’s statement that picking Abubakar as his deputy was his “gravest mistake” in office.

Obasanjo, who spoke at a book presentation in Lagos, also claimed that the money Abubakar allegedly stole during their tenure could last for generations.

The Eagle Online reports that the bad relationship between the two leaders dates back to their time running Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, where they openly fell out during their second term.

In his reaction, Abubakar dismissed Obasanjo’s latest public outburst against him as yet another failed attempt to rewrite history.

He insisted that no amount of bitterness can erase either the constitutional stand he took against the third-term agenda or the role he played in Obasanjo’s personal and political journey.

He said he watched the former president’s interview with profound sadness rather than anger, describing it as reflecting the disposition of a man who has allowed personal resentment to cloud historical truth.

Recalling his personal history with the former president, he said he stood by Obasanjo during his years in prison and supported his family, going further to clothe and care for him after his release before helping to build the political alliances that eventually produced his presidency.

He said: “History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. 

“I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom.

“When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. 

“I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing.

“I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. 

“I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition.”

Abubakar maintained that if Obasanjo’s hostility stemmed from his refusal to back an unconstitutional third term, he would wear that resentment as “a badge of honour,” stressing that the Constitution remains supreme and that no individual is bigger than the country.

He argued that the fight against the third-term agenda was never a personal contest between him and Obasanjo, but a defence of Nigeria’s democracy, adding that history had already delivered its verdict in favour of the Constitution.

He also pointed to recent remarks by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who he said described the economic management team he led as among the best the country has had, questioning the timing of Obasanjo’s attack against that backdrop.

He said: “Whether or not the timing is merely coincidental is for Nigerians to judge. 

“What is beyond dispute, however, is that while distinguished Nigerians who served at the highest levels continue to acknowledge my contributions to one of Nigeria’s most successful periods of economic management, Chief Obasanjo appears determined to diminish them.”

Abubakar said he harboured no regrets over those sacrifices, describing acts of kindness as matters of conscience rather than transactions requiring repayment, but warned that gratitude should not be replaced with revisionism.

He expressed disappointment that a former president would devote energy to recycling old grudges at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic hardship, unemployment, and insecurity, insisting that the 2027 elections should focus on rebuilding the country rather than reopening old wounds.

He said his years of restraint towards Obasanjo were out of respect for the office the former president once occupied, but stressed that such restraint had limits.

He said: “Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions. 

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖