Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to choose Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest political mistake of his life.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday in Lagos, during a fireside chat with veteran entertainer and activist, Charly Boy, at the unveiling of Charly Boy’s foundation and his memoir: “999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.”
Reflecting on his years in office, the former president said that, with the benefit of hindsight, he would not have selected Atiku as vice president.
“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999,” Obasanjo said.
He, however, stressed that he harboured no bitterness over the breakdown of their relationship, adding that he remained focused on governance throughout his administration.
According to him, he is grateful that the disagreements and actions that followed did not derail his government or prevent him from delivering on his objectives.
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“There is no bitterness in me over what happened. Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power,” he stated.
Obasanjo also addressed recurring questions about his ancestry, affirming that his parents were from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and noting that he still knows the location of the family’s ancestral home.
The event drew several prominent personalities, including Emeka Anyaoku, Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh, book reviewer, Austin Tam-George and veteran broadcaster, Bisi Olatilo.
During the event, Leo Stan Ekeh announced donations of ₦20 million each on behalf of Obasanjo and Anyaoku in support of the foundation.
Obasanjo and Atiku were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and served together from 1999 to 2007 before their relationship deteriorated over political disagreements during their second term in office.
