Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the political influence of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, declaring that his former principal holds no electoral value ahead of the 2027 general Elections.
Addressing journalists, Atiku said he remained unbothered by Obasanjo’s refusal to endorse his presidential ambitions. “In 1999, he could not even win his own state or the Southwest; it was Arewa that made him President. He possesses no electoral value,” Atiku stated.
The remarks underscore a long-standing rupture between the two leaders, who served as President and Vice President for eight years until 2007. Their relationship fractured after Atiku opposed Obasanjo’s push for a third term, a move he described as a defense of Nigeria’s Constitution and democratic order rather than personal rivalry.
Atiku framed his critique within a broader pitch for youth inclusion. Reflecting on his tenure as Vice President, he noted that many young Nigerians appointed during that period now serve as governors, ministers, and directors. He pledged to expand such opportunities if elected in 2027, positioning generational succession as a cornerstone of his platform.
The exchange revives a decades-old rivalry that has shaped Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Obasanjo, a towering figure in the country’s transition to civilian rule, has wielded significant influence through selective endorsements. Atiku’s rejection of that influence signals a bid to redefine political legitimacy around demographic appeal rather than establishment blessing.
As the 2027 cycle approaches, the contest over Obasanjo’s legacy — and his relevance — is likely to feature prominently in alliance-building across the North and Southwest. Atiku’s calculation appears to rest on the belief that the coalition that elevated Obasanjo in 1999 has since realigned, rendering the former President’s endorsement symbolic rather than decisive.
