Obasanjo Calls Atiku His Biggest Presidential Mistake

On Friday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described his decision to select Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the biggest mistake of his presidency. This remark was made during a fireside conversation with Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, at the public presentation of Charly Boy’s foundation and memoir in Lagos.

Obasanjo, who served with Atiku from 1999 to 2007, stated that while all leaders make mistakes, his choice of vice president was the one he regretted the most. He indicated that had he known Atiku as he later did, he would not have made that choice.

Despite their political rivalry, Obasanjo claimed he bore no personal resentment towards Atiku, acknowledging that both had their roles in the political landscape. The comments revive a long-standing political rivalry that has influenced Nigeria's democracy since 1999, when Obasanjo and Atiku were elected as the first democratic President and Vice President after military rule.