Abayomi Susan
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected allegations by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that he offered a ₦5 million bribe to the late former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to facilitate Obasanjo’s impeachment, describing the accusation as an attempt to rewrite history and influence the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement titled “The Grave Is Not a Witness Box,” issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said it was inappropriate to make allegations against a deceased person who is no longer alive to confirm or refute the claims.
According to the statement, African values place a premium on speaking truthfully and respectfully about the dead.
“It is deeply troubling that former President Obasanjo has chosen this moment to allege that I bribed the late Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba to impeach him,” the statement said.
Atiku questioned why the allegation was not made while the former Speaker was alive.
“If this allegation were true, why was it never raised when Rt. Hon. Na’Abba was alive? Why wait until the only person who could confirm or deny the claim has passed away?” he asked.
The former vice president argued that making such allegations after Na’Abba’s death denied Nigerians the opportunity to hear the late lawmaker’s account.
He maintained that the allegation was unfair to the memory of the former Speaker and inconsistent with the cultural values of respecting the deceased.
Atiku further alleged that the timing of the accusation was politically motivated and intended to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Coming at a time when political alignments for the 2027 elections are beginning to take shape, the objective appears to be to tarnish my image and confer an undeserved political advantage on the former President’s preferred candidate. Nigerians are discerning enough to recognise politically motivated allegations revived for convenience,” he stated.
He challenged Obasanjo to openly endorse any preferred presidential candidate rather than relying on allegations that can no longer be independently verified.
“If former President Obasanjo has taken a political position ahead of 2027, he should declare it openly and allow Nigerians to assess it on its merits, instead of attempting to shape public opinion through allegations involving someone who is no longer alive to respond,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate also argued that the allegation lacked judicial or official validation, insisting that if credible evidence had existed, the Obasanjo administration had ample opportunity to investigate and prosecute the matter while it was in office.
Atiku further linked the recurring criticisms from the former president to their long-standing political differences over the failed third-term agenda, saying he chose to defend Nigeria’s constitutional democracy rather than support what he described as personal political ambition.
Despite the renewed exchange, Atiku said his priority remains addressing the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and hunger, rather than engaging in disputes over past political events.
“Our focus remains on offering credible alternatives, defending democracy, promoting accountability, and working with patriotic Nigerians to restore transparent, competent, and people-centred leadership. Nigerians deserve practical solutions to today’s challenges, not renewed political controversies from the past,” he said.
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 former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to facilitate his impeachment, describing the claim as an attempt to rewrite history and influence the 2027 presidential election.dxyesterday,” he said.
