When will former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar, finally sheath their swords? For many Nigerians, that question has become almost rhetorical. The answer appears increasingly elusive, as the bitter rivalry between the former boss and his vice has evolved from a mere political disagreement into one of the most enduring feuds in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Their relationship, once celebrated as a formidable partnership that helped usher in the Fourth Republic in 1999, has since deteriorated into a cycle of accusations, distrust and political one-upmanship. From the fierce battle over the alleged third-term agenda to Atiku’s presidential ambitions and their repeated public exchanges, the once inseparable allies have become perennial adversaries.
For nearly two decades, the question has echoed through the corridors of power. Each time it appears peace is within reach, another political season arrives, old wounds are reopened, familiar accusations return, and the distance between the two widens once again.
Those who witnessed the birth of the Fourth Republic still remember when the duo appeared inseparable. Obasanjo was the austere statesman determined to rebuild Nigeria’s democratic institutions after years of military rule. Atiku, the consummate political strategist, brought party machinery, grassroots influence and an unmatched network that helped consolidate the administration’s hold on power. Together, they looked almost invincible.
