Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of using a bribery allegation involving the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to advance the political interests of his kinsman ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku made the allegation through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, while reacting to Obasanjo’s claim that he attempted to bribe Na’Abba during his administration to facilitate moves to impeach him.
Shaibu described the allegation as politically motivated, questioning why Obasanjo chose to raise it years after Na’Abba’s death when the former Speaker could no longer respond to the claim.
According to Atiku, if there was credible evidence that he attempted to bribe Na’Abba, the allegation should have been made and investigated while the former lawmaker was alive.
He argued that the timing of Obasanjo’s claim was suspicious, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Atiku alleged that the former president was attempting to damage his reputation while creating political space for a preferred presidential aspirant from his region.
The former vice president also recalled his disagreement with Obasanjo over the controversial third-term agenda during the latter’s administration.
He maintained that his opposition to the bid was based on his commitment to Nigeria’s democratic institutions and constitutional order.
Atiku further alleged that Obasanjo had continued to hold a grudge against him over his role in opposing the third-term agenda.
He, however, said he would remain focused on the challenges confronting Nigerians, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising poverty.
The former vice president urged Nigerians to judge political leaders based on their records and policies, rather than what he described as politically motivated allegations.
The latest exchange has renewed attention on the long-standing political differences between Atiku and Obasanjo, as opposition forces continue to realign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
