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Atiku Abubakar Rebuts Obasanjo, Defends Constitution Amid 2027 Election Campaign
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said his choice of Atiku Abubakar as his 1999 running mate was the biggest mistake of his political career, expressing regret in a recent interview at the launch of activist Charles Oputa’s foundation. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice‑President and ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election, repeatedly countered, saying he opposed Obasanjo’s unconstitutional third‑term agenda, chose the Constitution over personal loyalty, and even fed and clothed Obasanjo during his imprisonment. He described Obasanjo’s remarks as personal bitterness and defended his role in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The Tinubu administration defended its economic reforms against Atiku’s criticism, stating that Nigeria’s debt‑to‑GDP ratio remains below 40 % and debt‑service‑to‑revenue has fallen below 60 %. It also cited GDP growth from about $253 bn to $377 bn and a rise in naira‑denominated GDP from ₦314 trn to ₦530 trn after the exchange‑rate adjustment. The presidency dismissed Atiku’s claim of a N7.98 trn oil windfall as unfounded. Atiku urged young Nigerians to reject vote‑buying, mobilise up to 20 million votes for the 2027 election, and highlighted praise from WTO Director‑General Ngozi Okunjo‑Iweala for the Tinubu‑era economic team.
Entities
1999 Nigerian presidential election · 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa · African Democratic Congress · Atiku Abubakar · Bola Tinubu · Charles Oputa · Charles Oputa (Charly Boy) · Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala · Nigerian Constitution · Olusegun Obasanjo · Peoples Democratic Party · Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Obasanjo said he holds no personal bitterness toward Atiku despite the criticism.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Obasanjo made the comment in Lagos during a fireside chat with Charles Oputa (Charly Boy).
- [● 6 SOURCES] Olusegun Obasanjo served as President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 with Atiku Abubakar as Vice President.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Olusegun Obasanjo said picking Atiku Abubakar as his 1999 running mate was his biggest mistake. bentelevision.com · persecondnews.com · www.thisdaylive.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Obasanjo’s remarks revived a long‑standing political feud between him and Atiku.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Obasanjo made the comments on Friday, 1 August 2026.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Atiku Abubakar was the Peoples Democratic Party vice‑presidential candidate in the 1999 election.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The event was the public presentation of Charly Boy’s foundation and memoir “999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.”
- [● 6 SOURCES] Atiku Abubakar defended his role in blocking Obasanjo’s third‑term agenda, saying he chose Nigeria and its constitution over personal loyalty. reportersatlarge.com · tgnews.com.ng · theglittersonline.com.ng · www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com · blueprint.ng
- [● 4 SOURCES] Obasanjo said he holds no personal bitterness toward Atiku despite their turbulent political relationship. bentelevision.com · persecondnews.com
- [DISPUTED] Atiku said he fed and clothed Obasanjo after his release from prison. theglittersonline.com.ng · thewhistler.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] Obasanjo and Atiku served together as President and Vice‑President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. bentelevision.com