Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has launched a strong rebuttal against former President Olusegun Obasanjo over allegations concerning their years in government.
Ibe accused Obasanjo of repeatedly reviving political allegations against Atiku for electoral purposes, insisting that the claims would not withstand scrutiny.
He made the remarks in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, titled, “Obasanjo’s Campaign of Lies, Political Manipulation and Orchestrated Deceit Falling Apart Like a Pack of Cards.”
Ibe was reacting to an allegation attributed to Obasanjo that Atiku had mobilised the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to initiate moves to impeach him between 1999 and 2007.
The Atiku aide dismissed the allegation as baseless and accused Obasanjo of revisiting old claims against his former deputy whenever elections approach.
Ibe noted that Na’Abba, who died in 2023, could no longer respond to the allegation.
He, however, cited former House of Representatives member and then-Chief Whip, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, as disputing Obasanjo’s account.
According to Ibe, Bwari maintained that Na’Abba never sought Obasanjo’s removal.
He further claimed that Atiku had instead acted as an emissary to lawmakers on behalf of Obasanjo during the period.
Ibe also challenged accounts surrounding the 2003 presidential nomination struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party.
He referenced former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Kalu, who reportedly said in a video cited by Ibe that Atiku knelt before PDP governors while seeking their support for Obasanjo’s re-election.
According to the account, Atiku told the governors that he did not want to betray Obasanjo, despite attempts by some governors to support his presidential ambition.
The Atiku camp also revisited the controversy surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund ahead of the 2007 election.
Ibe said Atiku submitted himself to investigation over allegations concerning the fund after temporarily relinquishing his immunity.
He argued that the allegations were politically motivated because Atiku had opposed Obasanjo’s reported attempt to secure a third presidential term.
The latest exchange further highlights the longstanding political rivalry between Obasanjo and his former deputy.
Atiku is currently preparing for another presidential bid under the African Democratic Congress platform.
The allegations and counterclaims remain disputed, with Ibe presenting his statement as a defence of Atiku’s record while challenging Obasanjo’s version of events.
