I’ve no apology for opposing your third-term agenda – Atiku tells Obasanjo

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said he has no regrets for opposing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s alleged third-term agenda, insisting that he acted in defence of Nigeria’s constitution and democracy.

Atiku, who served as Obasanjo’s vice-president between 1999 and 2007, made the remark in a statement issued on Saturday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

His reaction followed comments made by Obasanjo during a fireside chat with activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, in Lagos on Friday, where the former president said he regretted choosing Atiku as his deputy.

Obasanjo said he later discovered certain things about Atiku that made him regret the decision, adding that he was grateful that the former vice-president was never allowed to harm Nigeria under his administration.

Responding, Atiku said he received the comments with sadness rather than anger, describing them as the reflection of “personal resentment clouding historical truth.”

He maintained that Nigerians are aware of the root of Obasanjo’s hostility toward him and reaffirmed his opposition to the third-term proposal.

“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,” Atiku said.

“I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition.”

The former vice-president argued that no individual is bigger than Nigeria and said that if Obasanjo’s bitterness truly stemmed from his resistance to an unconstitutional tenure extension, he would wear the criticism as a badge of honour.

The controversy over the alleged third-term agenda dates back to the 2005–2006 constitutional amendment process, when a proposal sought to allow presidents and governors to serve three four-year terms instead of the existing two-term limit. The amendment eventually failed after the Senate rejected the bill in May 2006.

Atiku was widely reported at the time to have played a key role in mobilising opposition against the proposal.

He said the struggle was not about a personal battle between two men but about protecting Nigeria’s constitutional democracy for future generations.

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

Atiku also referred to recent remarks credited to former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who praised the economic management team he led as vice-president.

According to him, Obasanjo may choose not to acknowledge his contributions, but history has been kinder.

He further recalled supporting Obasanjo during his period of imprisonment, claiming he assisted his family, worked with others for his release and helped him regain political footing after he regained freedom.

Atiku said he mobilised political structures and built alliances that contributed to Obasanjo’s emergence as president in 1999.

“Do I regret helping Chief Obasanjo? Absolutely not,” he said. “Acts of kindness are matters of conscience, not commercial transactions.”

He expressed disappointment that, at a time of economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity, a former president would focus on reviving old political disputes rather than offering solutions to national challenges.

“The 2027 election should be about rebuilding Nigeria, restoring security, reviving the economy and giving hope to the next generation—not reopening old political wounds,” Atiku said.

The latest exchange adds to the long-running feud between the two political leaders, who have repeatedly accused each other of corruption, abuse of office and political betrayal since leaving office.