My Biggest Political Regret Was Choosing Atiku as Vice President — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to pick Atiku Abubakar as his vice president as the greatest political regret of his career.

Obasanjo made the remark in Lagos during the launch of the Charly Boy Foundation and the presentation of Charly Boy’s autobiography.

Reflecting on his years in office, the former president said that if he had known Atiku’s character and disposition earlier, he would not have selected him as his running mate.

He added that he remained grateful to God that Atiku’s actions and decisions did not derail his administration or cause harm to Nigeria during their time in government.

Despite their well-publicised political fallout, Obasanjo said he harboured no personal resentment against the former vice president, noting that everyone acted according to their convictions while God enabled him to accomplish the objectives of his administration.

Obasanjo and Atiku led Nigeria’s civilian government between 1999 and 2007, but their relationship later deteriorated into a prolonged political feud marked by mutual accusations of corruption, political betrayal and abuse of public office. Their rift has remained one of the most significant political disputes in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.