Obasanjo: Choosing Atiku as Vice President Was My Greatest Mistake


 

By Abel Chigozie 


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to select Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his political career.


Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with veteran musician and activist Charly Boy in Lagos at the unveiling of Charly Boy's foundation and his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa. 


Reflecting on his time in office, the former president said that, with the benefit of hindsight, he would not have chosen Atiku as his vice president.


 "I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999," Obasanjo said. 


Despite expressing regret over the decision, Obasanjo stressed that he harbours no bitterness towards his former deputy.


He said that although their relationship later deteriorated, he remained focused on governance throughout his eight-year administration and was able to accomplish many of the objectives he had set for the country.


Obasanjo and Atiku served together from 1999 to 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Their alliance later collapsed over political disagreements, particularly during the controversy surrounding the failed third-term agenda, after which Atiku left the PDP to pursue his presidential ambitions on another platform. 


The latest remark adds another chapter to the long-running political rift between the two former leaders, who have repeatedly exchanged criticisms since leaving office. 

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