'Be bold to support your kinsman', Atiku blasts Obasanjo over Na'Abba bribery claim

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is at the receiving end of a scathing attack from a familiar foe, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In a statement released on Friday, Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, fired back at Obasanjo's allegations that Atiku bribed the late Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na'Abba to impeach him. This is not the first time the two politicians have clashed, and their latest exchange raises more questions about the state of Nigeria's politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku's camp has consistently maintained that Obasanjo's allegations are politically motivated, aimed at boosting the electoral fortunes of Obasanjo's preferred candidate. The ADC leader has also questioned why Obasanjo chose to make the allegations only after Na'Abba's death, denying Nigerians the opportunity to hear the other side of the story. According to Atiku, 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. This raises important questions about the timing and motivations behind Obasanjo's allegations.

The feud between Atiku and Obasanjo dates back to their time in office, when Atiku opposed Obasanjo's bid for a third term as president. Atiku's opposition was met with fierce resistance, and their differences have continued to simmer ever since. In his statement, Atiku linked Obasanjo's continued hostility to his opposition to the third-term agenda, stating that he defended the Constitution and successfully asserted his rights through the courts in a series of landmark legal victories against a sitting President. These battles are now part of Nigeria's democratic history, and it's clear that the bitterness arising from that defining period has failed to leave Obasanjo.

The exchange between Atiku and Obasanjo is not just about the two individuals; it's also about the state of Nigeria's politics and the role of former leaders in shaping the country's future. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of former leaders using their influence to meddle in politics, often with devastating consequences. This phenomenon is not unique to Nigeria, but it's particularly pronounced in Africa, where the legacy of colonialism and authoritarianism continues to shape the continent's politics. The feud between Atiku and Obasanjo is just one example of this broader cultural movement, and it's a reminder that the politics of the past continue to shape the present.

As the 2027 presidential election approaches, it's clear that the feud between Atiku and Obasanjo will continue to dominate the headlines. While it's impossible to predict with certainty how events will unfold, it's likely that Obasanjo's allegations will continue to be a major talking point in the run-up to the election. Atiku's camp will likely continue to push back against the allegations, and the ADC leader will need to navigate a complex web of alliances and rivalries to emerge victorious.## The Road Ahead

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 presidential election, one thing is clear: the politics of the country will continue to be shaped by the legacy of its leaders. The feud between Atiku and Obasanjo is just one example of this broader cultural movement, and it's a reminder that the politics of the past continue to shape the present. As the country navigates the complex web of alliances and rivalries that will define the election, one thing is certain: the future of Nigeria will be shaped by the choices made by its leaders today.