Obasanjo and Abubakar ran on a joint ticket on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. They would go on to win the election, becoming the first president and vice president in the nation’s fourth republic after 14 years of military rule.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has again voiced his revulsion and regret at picking Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as his running mate for the 1999 presidential election.
Obasanjo and Abubakar ran on a joint ticket on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. They would go on to win the election, becoming the first president and vice president in the nation’s fourth republic after 14 years of military rule.
However, their relationship and presidency were marred by a brutal leadership tussle. They became embroiled in a vicious cold war and power play as they both tried to assert their authority. Obasanjo has repeatedly accused Abubakar of resorting to unconscionable tactics to undermine his government and get him impeached.
Speaking on Friday in Lagos during a fireside chat with maverick musician and activist Charly Boy, Obasanjo disclosed that picking Abubakar as his vice is the biggest mistake of his life.
The event was held to unveil Charly Boy’s foundation and his memoir, “999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa”.
According to Obasanjo, with the benefit of hindsight, he would not have chosen Atiku as vice president.
“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999,” he said.
The former president added that he was thankful God did not allow Atiku’s actions and shenanigans to derail his administration or distract him from governing the country.
“There is no bitterness in me over what happened,” Obasanjo said.
“Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power.”
He also addressed the long-standing controversy about his roots, stating that his parents hailed from Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
“I still know our family house there,” he said.
The event was graced by prominent figures including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC; business mogul Leo Stan Ekeh, who donated N20 million each on behalf of Obasanjo and Chief Emeka Anyaoku; book reviewer Dr Austin Tam-George; and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, among other dignitaries.
Obasanjo and Atiku ran together on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and served from 1999 to 2007. Their relationship later became strained due to political differences during their second term in office
