it’s likely going to continue until one of them is gone
Senator Shehu Sani, has expressed pessimism that only death would end the prolonged political hostility between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Tripod Times reports that the former Kaduna Central Senator, Sani wrote on X that the over two decade-long political rivalry between Nigeria’s former number one and two may persist until either of the political gladiators kicks the bucket.
The fight, according to the Senator, has spanned an entire generation.
Sani wrote on X, “the Obj/Atiku feud began when Gen Zs were in nursery and primary school. It’s continuing even when that generation has graduated from universities, married and had children.”
While expressing doubt the prolonged political hostility was likely to end anytime soon, Sani said “it’s likely going to continue until one of them is gone, and the other will pay a glowing tribute. Since Atiku threw a devastating bomb at Obj, he has been receiving Obj’s hypersonic missiles for two decades. ”
The former Senator’s write up was against the renewed exchange of words between Chief Obasanjo and Alhaji Atiku.
Seen as one of Nigeria’s longest standing political disagreement, the fresh one was triggered when Obasanjo reportedly described the choice of Atiku as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the biggest mistake he made.
A relationship which was initially cordial ahead of the 1999 general election that ushered in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, has been soured by the rivalry that has defined the country’s political landscape in over twenty years.
Meanwhile, in the early years of the administration, Alhaji Atiku was regarded as one of the most influential vice presidents in the country when he chaired the National Council on Privatisation and played a central role in implementing the administration’s economic reform agenda, including the privatisation of several government owned enterprises, liberalisation of key sectors and efforts to attract private investment.
Although the partnership appeared stable in OBJ/Atiku first term in office, cracks began to emerge after their re-election in 2003.
