Atiku Accuses Obasanjo of Political Motive Over Na’Abba Bribery Claim

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of making politically motivated allegations after claiming he bribed the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to impeach him.

Reacting through a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the allegation was aimed at tarnishing his image and strengthening the chances of Obasanjo’s preferred candidate in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election.

“Coming at a time when the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election is taking shape, the obvious objective is to besmirch my person and reputation and confer an undeserved political advantage on the former President’s kinsman. Nigerians, however, know better. They are too discerning to be distracted by stale allegations resurrected for political convenience.”

The former vice president urged Obasanjo to openly endorse his preferred candidate instead of making claims that cannot be substantiated.

“If former President Obasanjo has chosen to take a political position ahead of 2027, he should simply declare it and allow Nigerians to judge it on its merits, rather than attempting to influence public opinion through allegations that can no longer be tested because the principal witness is no longer alive.”

Atiku questioned the timing of the allegation, noting that it emerged only after Na’Abba’s death, making it impossible for the late Speaker to respond.

He further argued that no court ruling or official investigation had ever validated the bribery allegation.

“If there was indeed evidence of any criminal conduct as alleged, Nigerians are entitled to ask why no action was taken at the time by a government that wielded the full powers of the Nigerian state.”

Atiku also revisited his long-running political disagreements with Obasanjo, saying his refusal to support the former president’s third-term bid remained a source of lingering resentment.

“Rather than surrender democratic principles on the altar of personal ambition, I defended the Constitution and successfully asserted my rights through the courts in a series of landmark legal victories against a sitting President. Those battles are now part of Nigeria’s democratic history. It is evident that the bitterness arising from that defining period has failed to leave former President Obasanjo.”

He concluded by stressing that his attention remains on addressing Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges rather than engaging in old political controversies.

“Our focus remains unwavering: offering credible alternatives, defending democracy, demanding accountability and working with all patriotic Nigerians to restore competent, transparent and people-centred leadership to our country. Nigerians deserve solutions to today’s problems, not recycled political tales from yesterday.”

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