Road To 2015: “Politics Is Not War” My Rift With Obasanjo Over – Atiku Declares

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said his disagreement with his former boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been resolved and it’s all in the past.

Atiku speaking on Tuesday in Abuja declared that he has “no hatred or enmity” against his former boss, when he hosted the leaders of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum.

The group on a ‘self’ mission to heal the rift between the former President and his deputy had weeks ago met former President Obasanjo in Ota, at which event he announced that he had forgiven his former vice president.

“I don’t harbor any grudge against my former boss. Yes, we had disagreements in office. These were mere disagreements. I harbor no hatred or enmity against him or anybody. I never had anything against him and I will never have,”.

He explained that in politics, he has opponents, but no enemies. “Politics is not war,”  as he thanked the group for successfully brokering peace between him and President Obasanjo.

Just a recap of the Atiku and Obasanjo face-off

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo who fought his erstwhile deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar after he won his re-election as President in 2013. Obasanjo made sure Atiku was not handed the ticket of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but went for the late Umar Yar’adua instead.

Atiku was accused of corruption with the PTDF Funds, and another one involving an American congress man. EFCC was sent to scrutinize him, Obasanjo tried to remove him as Vice President. The courts ruled in Atiku’s favor, and ruled that Obasanjo-Atiku ticket is a joint presidency. His ADC was removed and a spy was attached to him to leak all his secrets.

Funds to run the office of the Vice President were withheld, all his security escorts and details were removed. His aides were sacked and the plot to impeach him was snubbed by the National Assembly.

The formation of a group reconciling the Turakin of Adamawa and Olusegun Obasanjo observers believe can be linked to the 2015 elections as close aides to Atiku believe an endorsement from “Baba Iyabo” is needed if he must preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

What will become of their union within the next couple of months leading to the general elections, only time will tell as Atiku Abubakar is still very much interested in vying for the office of the President.