Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly rejected former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s allegation that he bribed the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to back an impeachment plot against him.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the accusation as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his image and give an unfair advantage to Obasanjo’s preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to Atiku, the timing of the allegation is no coincidence, insisting it comes at a period when political alliances for the 2027 race are beginning to take shape.
“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,” he said.
The former Vice President challenged Obasanjo to publicly declare the candidate he intends to support in the 2027 election instead of reviving what he described as “stale allegations” that can no longer be verified because the late Na’Abba is no longer alive.
“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 stated.
He also questioned why Obasanjo failed to raise the allegation while Na’Abba was alive, arguing that doing so after the former Speaker’s death denies Nigerians the opportunity to hear his side of the story.
Atiku further maintained that the bribery allegation lacks judicial or official backing.
“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,” he added.
The ADC flagbearer also linked Obasanjo’s continued criticism of him to their long-standing political differences, particularly his opposition to the former President’s alleged third-term agenda.
According to Atiku, his resistance at the time was driven by a commitment to constitutional democracy, stressing that he successfully defended his position through landmark court victories.
Despite the renewed controversy, Atiku said he remains focused on offering Nigerians credible leadership and addressing pressing national issues such as insecurity, unemployment, hunger and economic hardship.
“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,” he said.
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