Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have once again found themselves at the centre of Nigeria's political conversation as their long-running rivalry continues to dominate public discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The relationship between the two men, who jointly led Nigeria between 1999 and 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has deteriorated over the years from one of political partnership to one marked by persistent disagreements, public criticism, and exchanges of allegations.
In recent comments, Obasanjo reportedly renewed his criticism of Atiku, repeating long-standing allegations of corruption and accusing his former deputy of engaging in bribery. These are allegations that Atiku has consistently denied over the years, maintaining that no court has convicted him of corruption.
Atiku, on his part, has repeatedly argued that Obasanjo has never supported his presidential ambition. According to the former Vice President and his supporters, the former president has consistently opposed his attempts to become Nigeria's president, including his latest political aspirations as attention gradually shifts toward the 2027 presidential election.
The political disagreement between the two influential leaders dates back to the closing years of the Obasanjo administration. Their once-strong alliance collapsed amid disagreements over governance, succession politics, and constitutional issues, culminating in a bitter fallout before the end of their second term in office.
The tension became especially pronounced in 2007 when Atiku sought to contest the presidency after serving two terms as Vice President. During that period, legal and political battles emerged over his eligibility to participate in the election. The matter eventually reached the courts, which affirmed Atiku's right to appear on the presidential ballot after the electoral authorities initially excluded his name.
Since then, Obasanjo has remained one of Atiku's most vocal critics. On several occasions, he has questioned Atiku's suitability for Nigeria's highest office and publicly stated why he believes his former deputy should not become president.
One of the most notable examples came in Obasanjo's memoir, My Watch, where he made several critical remarks about Atiku's character and leadership style. In the book, Obasanjo described Atiku as a "shameless liar" and made numerous other strongly worded criticisms regarding their years in government. Those comments generated widespread political debate and further widened the gulf between the two former allies.
Atiku has consistently rejected the former president's assertions, insisting that the criticisms are politically motivated. He has maintained that Obasanjo has worked against his presidential ambitions since their political split and believes the former president's opposition is rooted in longstanding personal and political differences rather than objective assessments of his leadership credentials.
Over the years, the pair have occasionally appeared to reconcile, with meetings and public engagements suggesting a thaw in relations. However, those moments have repeatedly given way to renewed disagreements whenever national politics and presidential contests come into focus.
Their rivalry remains one of the most enduring political feuds in Nigeria's Fourth Republic, reflecting broader divisions within the country's political establishment. As discussions surrounding the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum, political observers expect the exchanges between the two statesmen to remain a significant feature of Nigeria's evolving political landscape.
While the accusations and counter-accusations continue to attract public attention, it is important to note that many of the allegations exchanged between both men remain matters of political dispute, with each side standing firmly by its position. Ultimately, Nigerians will continue to evaluate the competing narratives as the country's political future unfolds.
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