Atiku Fires Back at Obasanjo Over Impeachment Bribery Claim, Alleges Political Motive

…Insists no evidence supports bribery claim, says past disagreements were rooted in opposition to third-term agenda

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected allegations by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that he bribed the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to facilitate an impeachment plot against him.

This was in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the allegation as unfair, insisting that it was wrong to implicate a deceased person who could no longer defend himself.

He questioned why the claim was not made while the late Na’Abba was alive if there was any truth to it.

The former Vice President also argued that the allegation was not backed by any judicial finding or official investigation, adding that if there had been evidence of wrongdoing at the time, the government had the authority to prosecute the matter.

Atiku further alleged that the renewed accusation was politically motivated and intended to tarnish his image ahead of the 2027 general election, while giving undue advantage to a preferred presidential candidate.

He maintained that his disagreement with Obasanjo stemmed from his opposition to the former President’s alleged third-term agenda, saying he defended Nigeria’s Constitution and democratic principles through the courts during that period.

Atiku urged political leaders to focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising food prices, rather than revisiting political disputes from the past.

He reiterated his commitment to promoting democratic governance, accountability and what he described as people-centred leadership.