Selecting Atiku as my running mate was the most regrettable decision I've ever made' – Obasanjo

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By Benjamin Njoku

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to pick Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the biggest mistake of his life.

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Obasanjo made the statement on Friday in Lagos during a fireside chat with maverick musician and activist Charly Boy. The event was held to unveil Charly Boy’s foundation and his memoir, “999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa”.

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According to Obasanjo, with hindsight he would not have chosen Atiku as vice president.

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“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999,” he said.

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The former president added that he was thankful God did not allow Atiku’s actions and overreactions to derail his administration or distract him from governing the country.

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“There is no bitterness in me over what happened,” Obasanjo said.

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“Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power.”

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He also addressed the long-running controversy about his roots, stating that his parents hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

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“I still know our family house there,” he said.

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The event attracted prominent figures including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC; business mogul Leo Stan Ekeh, who donated N20 million each on behalf of Obasanjo and Chief Emeka Anyaoku; book reviewer Dr Austin Tam-George; and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, among other dignitaries.

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Obasanjo and Atiku ran together on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and served from 1999 to 2007.

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Their relationship later became strained due to political differences during their second term in office.

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