Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to pick former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his life.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday in Lagos during a fireside chat with musician and activist Charly Boy at the unveiling of his foundation and memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
Reflecting on his political journey, the former president said that if given another opportunity, he would not make the same choice.
“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999.”
Despite their well-publicised fallout, Obasanjo said he harbours no bitterness toward his former deputy, adding that he remains thankful that the challenges he faced during their time in office did not stop him from carrying out his agenda.
“There is no bitterness in me over what happened.”
He added that, despite everything that transpired, he was still able to accomplish the goals he set for his administration.
“Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power.”
Obasanjo also used the occasion to address long-standing claims about his ancestry, insisting that both of his parents were from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“I still know our family house there.”
The event was attended by several prominent Nigerians, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Peter Obi, Leo Stan Ekeh, Dr. Austin Tam-George, veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, and other dignitaries.
Obasanjo and Atiku served together under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 1999 and 2007 before their political relationship eventually broke down.
The remarks have since sparked reactions on social media.
@Raymond Silas: “Una two wetin be the difference?? Mtcheeew next post”
@Onome Peter Olokor: “Political history always reveals the true cost of compromise! 💯
Picking a vice president for electoral balance often creates serious governance friction down the line.”
@Ita Cyril Ita: “Atiku and tinubu are like the twin brother when it comes to courrption”
@Adedamola Alex: “The mumu go still visit him in his Abeokuta house for 2027 support”
@Idorenyin Nsibiet: “What did Atiku do to him… 1999 is a very long time. Why is he still on it…”
@Chioma Wopara: “You either create a bad or good story to everyone you meet.”
@Temitope Fapz: “And you pick him again in 2003 in your second tenure… Hmmmm”
@Solomon Ikonoso Terry: “Baba must have learned in hard ways then for choosing him because am too small to understand what’s going on then”
@Xtîâñ Rîchard: “Oya, make we wait for return match from Atiku”
@Brooklyn Elvis: “Hausa’s and Yoruba’s will soon start trading words on social media. This two regions are responsible for what’s happening in Nigeria today…”
