Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to choose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the biggest mistake of his political career.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday in Lagos during the unveiling of veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa's (Charly Boy) foundation and memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
Responding to a question on the greatest mistake he made while in office, the former President said he would not have selected Atiku as his deputy if he had known him better before assuming office.
"The man I picked as my running mate, my number two—if I had known him as I came to know him later, I would not have picked him," Obasanjo said.
When asked if he was referring to Atiku, Obasanjo replied, "My vice president. I don't know what name you want to give him, but my vice president."
Despite the criticism, the former President said he harboured no ill feelings towards his former deputy, noting that their political differences did not distract him from his administration's objectives.
"There is no bitterness. He did what he believed he should do, and God did what He needed to do, which enabled me to achieve what I was able to achieve," he added.
Obasanjo and Atiku served as President and Vice President between 1999 and 2007 before their relationship deteriorated during their second term over political disagreements.
The former President had made similar comments in 2022 when he told students in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that choosing Atiku as his running mate was among the genuine mistakes he had made in public life.
His latest remarks come days after both leaders traded words over Obasanjo's allegation that Atiku attempted to induce the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na'Abba, with N5 million in a failed bid to facilitate his impeachment before the 2003 general election.
Atiku had dismissed the allegation as false and unfair, arguing that the late lawmaker was no longer alive to respond to the claims.
Speaking further at the event, Obasanjo reflected on the Nigerian Civil War, rejecting claims that the conflict amounted to genocide. He maintained that the military campaign was aimed at preserving Nigeria's unity and said he deliberately took steps to minimise civilian casualties during the war.
The former President also dismissed speculation about his ancestry, insisting that both his parents hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The event was attended by several prominent personalities, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, National Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo, among others.
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