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Picking Atiku as running mate in 1999, mistake of my life — Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has listed his choice of running mate in the 1999 presidential election among the “genuine” mistakes of his life.

The ex-military leader at an event held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State said although it was a mistake, God made him overcome it.

Obasanjo was responding to questions, posed by students from selected secondary schools that, participated in the final of the National Exhibition and Awards, organised by Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE).

Recall Obasanjo and his former vice president, Atiku Abubakar had a running battle during the build-up to the 2003 elections.

Going down memory lane on his life and achievements both as Military Head of State and a civilian President, he said he had made many “genuine” mistakes in his life, but God made him overcome them.

The former President said, “One of the mistakes I made was picking my Number Two (referring to Atiku) when I wanted to become the President. But because it was a genuine mistake, God saved me.

“The second one (mistake) was when Abacha wanted to arrest me. When. Abacha wanted to arrest me, I was told by the American ambassador that they will arrest me and that America has asked that I should be given asylum. I said no. It could have been a mistake because I could have lost my life.

“I will say there are many things that could have been a mistake but God saved me from them all”.

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