Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described choosing Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his political career.
Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa at an event in Lagos to unveil the Charly Boy Foundation and launch his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
Reflecting on his time in office, Obasanjo said that, looking back, he would not have selected Atiku as his vice-presidential candidate.
“I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999,” he said.
Despite their political fallout, the former president said he harbours no bitterness over what happened, adding that he was able to achieve the goals he set for his administration.
“There is no bitterness in me over what happened. Despite everything, I was able to achieve what I set out to achieve while in power,” Obasanjo stated.
He also addressed speculation about his ancestry, saying his family originated from Abeokuta in Ogun State and that he still knows the location of their family house there.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Emeka Anyaoku, Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh, Dr. Austin Tam-George and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo.
During the programme, Leo Stan Ekeh announced donations of ₦20 million each on behalf of Obasanjo and Emeka Anyaoku to support the Charly Boy Foundation.
Obasanjo and Atiku were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1999 and served two terms between 1999 and 2007 before their relationship broke down over governance and succession issues, sparking a political rivalry that has endured for years.
