Obasanjo and Atiku: Time to End the Feud

There has been a lot of drama ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. One major story is the ongoing feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his former running mate, Waziri Atiku Abubakar. Both men led Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. This fight has lasted decades. They have been at odds since the 2000s. Over twenty years later, this remains one of Nigeria’s longest political feuds. It has played out during every election season since 2003, but the conflict goes back even further.

Atiku was elected Governor of Adamawa state in 1999. But after the elections, Obasanjo chose him as his Vice President. Atiku moved from Yola to Abuja, settling in Aso Rock Presidential Villa. It looked like a perfect partnership. The combination of Obasanjo and Atiku, Yoruba and Fulani, Christian and Muslim, seemed like the right solution for Nigeria after years of military rule. Atiku was a model Vice President. He had Obasanjo's trust and was in charge of the economy and privatization. He was influential and enjoyed his role.

During this time, many state Governors and their Deputies started fighting like rivals. For example, in Lagos state, Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Deputy Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele had a public falling out. Bucknor-Akerele had to resign in December 2002. In Abia State, Governor Orji Uzor Kalu had a bitter clash with his Deputy, Enyinnaya Abaribe. Abaribe resigned on March 7, 2003. He then joined the All-Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to run for Governor. He was impeached on March 15, 2003. Cracks were also forming in the Presidential office. By the time of the April 2003 elections, the relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku had soured. There were rumors that Atiku wanted to take Obasanjo's place as President.

Obasanjo’s main rival in the 2003 election was General Muhammadu Buhari. But his biggest challenge was Atiku, who had grown powerful under him. Atiku was seen as a threat during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries. Many believed he had the backing of 21 PDP governors and was planning to take the 2003 ticket from Obasanjo. Reports suggested that Obasanjo begged Atiku to support him in the primaries. He had been humiliated by the same man he had once promoted. In the end, the governors changed their minds and Obasanjo got the ticket. He won the 2003 election with 26 states and over 61 percent of the votes. Atiku stayed on as Vice President, but their relationship was never the same. Atiku had broken the first rule of power: Never outshine your boss.

When they began their second term in May 2003, the Presidency was divided. It turned toxic. Atiku lost the powers and privileges he once had. Aides on both sides fueled the feud for their own gain. The Villa became a source of rumors, with staff working against each other. The bad atmosphere affected relationships across the country. People had to choose sides: Obasanjo or Atiku. While the usual rivalries between Governors and their Deputies played out, the Obasanjo Presidency faced a deeper crisis. The President and Vice President accused each other of corruption. I witnessed these events and wrote about how the division cost the Obasanjo administration its second term.

Politics is about events and personalities, as well as memories. Since 2003, Obasanjo and Atiku have not let go of old wounds. Every election cycle since 2007, Atiku has tried to replace his former boss. And at every turn, Obasanjo has been his main enemy, even when he was not on the ballot. After their 2003 conflict, both worked against each other. Someday, someone will need to calculate how much this tension cost Nigeria. The 2005 National Political Reform Conference, which Obasanjo called, collapsed partly due to suspicions that he wanted a third term. Obasanjo insists this was not true. It was the era of the Bolekaja feud. Recently, Obasanjo accused Atiku of bribing the late Speaker of the House, Ghali Na’Abba, with ₦5 million to have him impeached.

Atiku quickly responded, adding fuel to the fire. He said, "Coming at a time when the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election is taking shape, the obvious objective is to besmirch my person and reputation and confer an undeserved political advantage on the former President’s kinsman… Nigerians, however, know better. They are too discerning to be distracted by stale allegations resurrected for political convenience…My offence was that I stood firmly against the unconstitutional third-term agenda. As a democrat, I chose the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Rather than surrender democratic principles on the altar of personal ambition, I defended the Constitution and successfully asserted my rights through the courts in a series of landmark legal victories against a sitting President. Those battles are now part of Nigeria’s democratic history. It is evident that the bitterness arising from that defining period has failed to leave former President Olusegun Obasanjo."

This exchange happened around July 24. Obasanjo, not one to stay quiet, responded during a book event hosted by Charly Boy Oputa. During a question-and-answer session, Charly Boy asked Obasanjo if he had any regrets. Obasanjo stated his biggest mistake was choosing his running mate. He did not mention Atiku's name, showing deep contempt. Atiku replied, saying, "I cleaned you up when you needed me; I stood against you when Nigeria needed me." Atiku insisted that he was proud to have opposed Obasanjo’s third-term ambition. He added, "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… When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary for him to regain his footing…"

The feud between these two leaders is back in the spotlight as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections. Atiku is running again as the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This is his seventh attempt at the presidency (1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023). At almost 80 years old, this could be his last chance. If he loses, he may not be able to run again in 2031. Obasanjo is not running but has said he would anger God if he supported Atiku's presidential ambitions. This makes his opposition to Atiku feel like a commitment. Though Atiku claims that Obasanjo is backing Bola Tinubu for 2027, Obasanjo recently endorsed Peter Obi in 2023. Atiku says he helped Obasanjo in the past, calling him ungrateful. On the other hand, Obasanjo sees Atiku as a traitor unfit for high office. Their quarrel resembles a fierce battle, a fight to the finish, what Yorubas call "ija agba meji."

In African cultures, when young people argue, elders step in to make peace. In this case, it is the opposite. We urge both Obasanjo and Atiku to put down their arms and allow peace to reign. They should let history settle their grievances. Obasanjo is almost 90. Atiku is nearing 80. What are they still fighting for at their age? What example are they setting for the younger generation? The hardest part of any relationship is knowing when to let go. Obasanjo and Atiku can exist peacefully in Nigeria's political space without clashing. They can show the nation a positive example.

Their ongoing feud distracts from the 2027 elections, which should focus on ideas. This season should highlight party manifestoes, candidates' contracts with the people, and plans to move Nigeria forward. The politics of insults and unresolved hatred might entertain some, but it does not help the country. It is not desirable. Atiku’s spokespeople do him a disservice by focusing on insults against his opponents. They should instead explain why Atiku deserves support. By targeting Obasanjo, they risk losing focus and will be remembered as distracted when it mattered most. Obasanjo, on the other hand, has little to lose.