Obasanjo’s Regret Over Atiku is Politically Timed and Driven by Vindictiveness, Says Media Aide on Arise News
Appearing on Arise News, Olusola Sanni, Strategic Media Associate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dismissed recent public statements by former President Olusegun Obasanjo describing his selection of Atiku as his "greatest political regret." Speaking during an interview anchored by Charles Aniagolu, Sanni argued that Obasanjo’s recurring criticisms fit a predictable pattern of political timing aimed at weakening Atiku's standing ahead of presidential election cycles.
He maintained that the 1999–2007 administration remains one of Nigeria’s most economically successful democratic eras, emphasizing that Atiku has moved past historical political feuds to focus on addressing current national socio-economic challenges.
Deep-Dive Analysis
1. The Pattern of Electoral Timing and Political Motivation
Sanni challenged the premise of Obasanjo's renewed criticisms, attributing the statements to deliberate political strategy rather than objective retrospective analysis.
Re-evaluating the 1999–2007 Legacy
- The "Twilight of Elections" Pattern: Sanni highlighted that Obasanjo routinely resurfaces allegations against Atiku near election cycles, framing the remarks as calculated political maneuvers rather than rational statecraft.
- Contrasting Historical Accounts: He referenced the 2003 post-election acceptance speech where Obasanjo publicly praised Atiku’s pivotal role in their re-election victory, arguing that current claims of long-standing regret contradict past public acknowledgments.
- The Third-Term Agenda Rift: Pointing to widely held political assessments, Sanni identified Atiku’s opposition to Obasanjo’s alleged third-term constitutional amendment push as the primary historical inflection point that permanently fractured their relationship.
"Why is it that it is almost at the twilight of every election that President Obasanjo comes out to say something about his former vice president? That in itself tells you that it is more political than rational." — Olusola Sanni
2. Disputing Allegations and the "My Watch" Narrative
The discussion addressed specific corruption allegations and investigative claims documented in Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
Evidence, Panels, and Public Record
- Burden of Proof: Sanni argued that Obasanjo’s memoir functions as a platform for political grievances rather than a verified record, noting that several public figures named in the book have contested its historical accuracy.
- The Executive Investigative Panel: Addressing questions regarding formal inquiries into Atiku during their tenure, Sanni noted that an investigative panel—which included figures like former Attorney General Bayo Ojo and current NSA Nuhu Ribadu—did not produce actionable findings that led to judicial prosecution.
- Absence of Published Documentation: Sanni emphasized that while allegations regarding foreign diplomatic communications or legislative bribery have been repeatedly referenced, formal supporting evidence was not explicitly published within the memoir to substantiate the claims.
"It is the responsibility of the person who alleges to provide the proof. He weaponized that book to fight his political opponents... It falls short of the expectations of truth." — Olusola Sanni
3. Opposition Dynamics and Current Governance Concerns
Sanni examined the broader political ramifications of Obasanjo's comments on the current administration and opposition alignments.
Opposition Division and Governance Priorities
- Dividing the Opposition: Sanni suggested that public attacks on Atiku serve to fracture opposition unity, indirectly benefiting the governing party by creating friction among competing political blocs.
- Refocusing National Priorities: He argued that public discourse should prioritize immediate socio-economic pressures—including inflation, security concerns, and living costs under the current administration—rather than decades-old political rivalries.
- Unilateral Grievance: Sanni concluded that the ongoing friction is one-sided, asserting that Atiku harbors no regrets regarding his service from 1999 to 2007 and views the historical partnership as a period of significant governance achievements.
"Atiku Abubakar is not staying up at night worrying about what Obasanjo is saying... He is looking forward to how to rescue Nigeria from the depth of bad governance. That is the demand of today, not the fight of the past." — Olusola Sanni
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