Shehu Sani Weighs In on Obasanjo–Atiku Feud, Says Political Rivalry Has Lasted Two Decades
Shehu Sani Weighs In on Obasanjo–Atiku Feud, Says Political Rivalry Has Lasted Two Decades
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has shared his thoughts on the long-standing political rift between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar, describing it as one of the most enduring rivalries in Nigeria’s democratic history.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sani reflected on the prolonged disagreement between the two political heavyweights, noting that the feud has spanned generations and continues to dominate national political discourse.
According to him, the disagreement dates back to the mid-2000s and has persisted for nearly two decades despite several changes in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The Obasanjo–Atiku feud began when many members of Generation Z were still in nursery and primary school. Today, that same generation has graduated from universities, started families, and had children, yet the political battle continues,” Sani remarked.
Using a military analogy to illustrate the intensity of the exchanges between both men, Sani wrote:
“Since Atiku threw a devastating bomb at OBJ, he has been receiving OBJ’s hypersonic missiles for two decades.”
The former lawmaker suggested that the rivalry has become a defining feature of Nigeria’s political history, adding humorously that it may only come to an end when one of the two elder statesmen is no longer alive, after which the survivor may eventually pay glowing tribute to the other.
The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku deteriorated significantly in 2006, following disagreements over governance and allegations surrounding a proposed third-term agenda. The crisis escalated after Atiku parted ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), prompting then-President Obasanjo to declare the office of the Vice President vacant.
The decision sparked a constitutional dispute that eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in Atiku’s favour, affirming that the President has no constitutional authority to remove a duly elected Vice President from office.
The renewed attention to their political rivalry follows recent public exchanges between the two leaders, with both men revisiting past disagreements and defending their respective roles during the Obasanjo administration.
Sani’s remarks have since generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians describing his analogy as both humorous and reflective of one of the country’s most enduring political rivalries.
Published by: ProlificX Premium Network
