Obasanjo, Atiku’s problem rooted in politics not personal – Olarewaju

The Senior Political Assistant to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, has alleged that the disagreement between former President Olesegun Obasanjo and his then VP, Atiku, was deeply rooted in politics.

Olarewaju claimed that Obasanjo does not want Atiku to become president.

He spoke on Monday during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, monitored by DAILY POST in Abeokuta, where he appeared alongside the Executive Director of the Centre for Responsive Governance, Ayodeji Ologun.

According to Olarewaju, Atiku still holds Obasanjo in high esteem despite their political differences, adding that there was no personal grievance between the two former leaders.

“The relationship between the former President Obasanjo and Atiku, in my view as a Nigerian who witnessed the administration and the post-administration, is the fact that they do not seem to have a personal issue. It is clear from how Atiku holds Obasanjo in high esteem.

“The issue between them is political and, for reasons best known to Obasanjo, it is very clear and obvious that he does not want Atiku Abubakar to ever be President of the Federal Republic,” he said.

He also questioned what he described as Obasanjo’s belief that no other leader could match his achievements or govern Nigeria better than he did.

“I think another thing that has become very clear is his instability about the opinion that Obasanjo holds, that nobody can meet up with his achievement and nobody can govern Nigeria better than him,” Olarewaju said.

The latest exchange is the latest chapter in the long-running political differences between Obasanjo and Atiku, which dates back to their years in office between 1999 and 2007.

The dispute recently intensified after Obasanjo described his decision to choose Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the “biggest mistake” of his political life, while also alleging that the former vice president was involved in a plot to impeach him in 2003.

Atiku, through his media aides, rejected the allegations, describing them as part of what he called a long-running campaign of “lies, deceit and historical distortion” by the former president.

The former vice president also argued that the root of Obasanjo’s resentment was his refusal to support the former president’s bid for a third term in office, maintaining that he chose the Constitution and Nigeria’s democratic interests over personal loyalty.

He also denied the alleged payment to Na’Abba, who died in 2023, questioning the decision to rely on a deceased former lawmaker who could no longer respond to the allegation.

Speaking on Obasanjo’s political posture since leaving office in 2007, Olarewaju described it as a “journey of redemption,” arguing that the former president had, over the years, sought to rebuild his relationship with the Yoruba people.

Despite the former president’s opposition to Atiku, Olarewaju said supporters of the former vice president remained determined to pursue his political ambition.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Centre for Responsive Governance, CRG, Ologun said no matter what happens, Nigerians must understand the truth, he said.