Jul 24, 2026

Obasanjo Revives Old War: Atiku Accuses Ex-President of Lies to Boost Preferred 2027 Candidate

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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**Headline:** Atiku Blasts Obasanjo for Fabricating Impeachment Claims to Boost 2027 Kinsman

Abuja, Nigeria – July 24, 2026 — In a sharp exchange reigniting old rivalries, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo of fabricating allegations against him to clear the path for a preferred “kinsman” in the 2027 general elections.

The latest feud erupted after Obasanjo, in a letter responding to former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, revived claims that Atiku masterminded an impeachment plot against him during his first term as president.

Obasanjo specifically alleged that Atiku gave the late House of Representatives Speaker, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, ₦5 million to initiate the proceedings while he was away from office.

Atiku’s Strong Rebuttal

Atiku dismissed the claims as “fabricated” and unfair to the deceased Na’Abba, who can no longer defend himself. He described the timing as strategic, aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of the 2027 polls and favoring Obasanjo’s political ally.

The accusation dates back to tensions in the early 2000s when Obasanjo and Atiku, once political allies, fell out dramatically.

Atiku has long maintained that such narratives stem from their disagreement over Obasanjo’s alleged third-term ambition, which he opposed.

Deep-Rooted Political Rift

The public back-and-forth highlights the enduring bitterness between Nigeria’s political titans.

Obasanjo, in his response to Osoba, defended his 2003 election victory and distanced himself from any alleged arrangement with Atiku that might have favored the latter’s ambitions.

He portrayed Atiku as power-hungry from the outset of their administration.

This development comes amid broader political maneuvering as parties and aspirants position themselves for the 2027 presidential contest.

Atiku, a prominent opposition figure and former PDP presidential candidate, remains a key player whose next moves are closely watched.

The exchange adds fuel to Nigeria’s high-stakes political discourse, where historical grievances are frequently weaponized.

Observers note that such public spats often reflect deeper calculations as 2027 approaches, with questions of loyalty, succession, and regional interests taking center stage.

Both men have shaped Nigeria’s democracy for decades—Obasanjo as a two-term president and Atiku as vice president and multiple-time presidential contender.

Their latest clash serves as a reminder of the personal and political fault lines that continue to influence the nation’s leadership landscape.

As reactions pour in across social and traditional media, Nigerians are left reflecting on the implications for unity and focus in addressing pressing national challenges beyond elite rivalries.