I Have No Regret Blocking Obasanjo’s Third-Term Agenda – Atiku

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has said he has no regrets over opposing the alleged third-term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, insisting that his decision was in defence of Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, was reacting to recent comments by Obasanjo, which he described as an attempt to rewrite history and diminish his contributions to the administration that governed Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.

The former vice president said he received Obasanjo’s remarks with sadness rather than anger, alleging that the former president’s resentment stemmed from his refusal to support the reported constitutional amendment that would have enabled him to seek a third term in office.

“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,” Atiku said.

He added, “If Chief Obasanjo’s bitterness stems from my refusal to support an unconstitutional third term, then I wear that resentment as a badge of honour.

No individual, regardless of his status or accomplishments, is bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution is supreme, and I chose Nigeria over personal loyalty.”

Atiku maintained that the resistance to the alleged third-term bid was not a personal battle but a collective effort to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

“The Nigerian people won that battle. Democracy won that battle. History has already delivered its verdict,” he stated.

The ADC presidential candidate also referred to recent remarks by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reportedly praised the economic management team of the Obasanjo administration as one of the best Nigeria had produced.

According to Atiku, while prominent Nigerians continue to acknowledge his contributions to the administration’s economic achievements, Obasanjo appears determined to downplay his role.

The former vice president further recalled supporting Obasanjo during his incarceration and contributing to his political resurgence ahead of the 1999 presidential election.

“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,” he said.

Atiku added that he had no regrets over assisting Obasanjo, stressing that acts of kindness should be rendered without expecting anything in return.