Atiku accuses Obasanjo of backing Tinubu ahead of 2027, demands open endorsement

Nigeria: Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of attempting to shape the political narrative ahead of the 2027 presidential election by allegedly promoting a preferred candidate through revived allegations dating back more than two decades.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Obasanjo should publicly declare the candidate he intends to support rather than relying on what he described as politically motivated accusations.

The latest exchange follows Obasanjo's claim that Atiku provided the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na'Abba, with ₦5 million to initiate impeachment proceedings against him during their time in office. The allegation was contained in the former president's response to former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba over political events surrounding the 2003 elections.

Rejecting the accusation, Atiku argued that its revival is intended to tarnish his image as political alignments for the next presidential election begin to take shape.

"Coming at a time when the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election is taking shape, the obvious objective is to besmirch my person and reputation and confer an undeserved political advantage on the former President's kinsman," the statement read.

He added: "Nigerians, however, know better. They are too discerning to be distracted by stale allegations resurrected for political convenience."

Without naming any individual, Atiku suggested that Obasanjo should openly identify the person he supports instead of making claims that cannot be independently verified.

"He should simply declare [his preferred candidate] and allow Nigerians to judge it on its merits, rather than attempting to influence public opinion through allegations that can no longer be tested."

Although no name was mentioned, Atiku's reference to Obasanjo's "kinsman" has been widely interpreted in political circles as an allusion to President Bola Tinubu, with whom Obasanjo has had a long and often turbulent political relationship.

Dispute over Na'Abba allegation

Atiku also questioned why Obasanjo chose to make the allegation only after the death of former Speaker Ghali Na'Abba, arguing that the timing denied the late lawmaker the opportunity to confirm or deny the claim.

"If this allegation were true, why did he never make it while Mr Na'Abba was alive? Why wait until the only man who could confirm or refute the claim has departed this world?"

He continued: "It is unfair to his memory and contrary to our cultural values to conscript the dead into contemporary political battles when they no longer have a voice."

Na'Abba, who served as Speaker between 1999 and 2003, presided over a House of Representatives that frequently clashed with the Obasanjo administration, culminating in impeachment moves against the president in 2002. Although the House advanced the process and the Senate initially showed support, interventions by former Heads of State, including Shehu Shagari and Yakubu Gowon, eventually halted the effort.

The former Speaker died on December 27, 2023. In a 2018 interview, he had expressed regret that the impeachment proceedings were never concluded.

Atiku maintained that if the bribery allegation had any basis, Obasanjo possessed the constitutional authority and state institutions as president to investigate and prosecute the matter at the time. He challenged the former president to produce credible evidence to substantiate the claim.

The renewed war of words has reopened one of Nigeria's longest-running political rivalries and underscores the intensifying contest for influence as parties and political heavyweights position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.