Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s allegation that he bribed the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to impeach him, describing the claim as politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku alleged that the accusation was intended to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 presidential election and give political advantage to Obasanjo’s preferred candidate.
“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,” Atiku said.
He added that Nigerians were capable of seeing through what he described as an attempt to revive old allegations for political reasons.
Atiku challenged Obasanjo to openly declare his preferred candidate for the 2027 election instead of making claims that can no longer be verified because the late Na’Abba is no longer alive.
“If former President Obasanjo has chosen to take a political position ahead of 2027, he should simply declare it and allow Nigerians to judge it on its merits, rather than attempting to influence public opinion through allegations that can no longer be tested because the principal witness is no longer alive,” he stated.
The former vice president also questioned why Obasanjo did not raise the allegation while Na’Abba was alive or take legal action at the time if there was evidence to support the claim.
“If there was indeed evidence of any criminal conduct as alleged, Nigerians are entitled to ask why no action was taken at the time by a government that wielded the full powers of the Nigerian state,” Atiku said.
He further linked Obasanjo’s criticism to the political disagreements between them during the former president’s administration, particularly his opposition to Obasanjo’s alleged third-term agenda.
According to Atiku, he stood firmly in defence of Nigeria’s Constitution and challenged actions he considered undemocratic through the courts.
“Rather than surrender democratic principles on the altar of personal ambition, I defended the Constitution and successfully asserted my rights through the courts. It is evident that the bitterness arising from that defining period has failed to leave former President Obasanjo,” he added.
Despite the renewed political exchange, Atiku said he would remain focused on addressing the country’s current challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and hunger.
“Our focus remains unwavering: offering credible alternatives, defending democracy, demanding accountability and working with all patriotic Nigerians to restore competent, transparent and people-centred leadership to our country. Nigerians deserve solutions to today’s problems, not recycled political tales from yesterday,” he said.
The exchange comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.
