Obasanjo Laments: Atiku Was My Biggest Mistake

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered one of his strongest public criticisms of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing his decision to choose him as running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his presidency.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside conversation with veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, at the public presentation of Charly Boy’s foundation and memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, in Lagos.
Reflecting on his years in office, the former president said that while every leader makes mistakes, selecting Atiku as his deputy remains the one decision he most regrets.
According to Obasanjo, the knowledge he later acquired about Atiku would have completely changed his choice.
“The man I picked as my running mate, my number two. If I had known him as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him,” he said.
When Charly Boy asked if he was referring to Atiku, Obasanjo responded without hesitation: “My vice president. I don’t know what name you want to give him, but my vice president, I mean that.”
Despite the scathing assessment, Obasanjo insisted he harbours no personal bitterness toward his former deputy, saying both men acted according to their convictions and that God ensured his administration remained focused on Nigeria’s development.
“There’s no bitterness because he did what he believed he should do, and God did what God had to do, which enabled me to achieve what I was able to achieve,” he added.