Obasanjo and Atiku's Long-Standing Political Feud

The feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his former running mate, former Vice-President Waziri Atiku Abubakar, has been a notable aspect of Nigeria's political history since their tenure from 1999 to 2007. Initially, their partnership was seen as a promising solution to Nigeria's post-military rule challenges, with Atiku overseeing the economy and privatization efforts.

However, by the lead-up to the April 2003 general elections, tensions escalated as speculations arose that Atiku was positioning himself to challenge Obasanjo for the presidency within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This internal conflict was compounded by political rivalries among state governors and their deputies, exemplified by the disputes in Lagos State and Abia State.

The long-standing animosity between Obasanjo and Atiku has been reignited in the context of the upcoming 2027 general elections, marking one of the most enduring political feuds in Nigeria.