The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s electoral influence, arguing that he could not win his home state or the South-West during the 1999 presidential election.

Atiku made the remark on Wednesday while speaking with journalists amid the renewed war of words between him and his former boss over their political relationship and their roles in the 1999 presidential election.

“In 1999, he could not even win his own state or the South-West; it was Arewa that made him President. He possesses no electoral value,” Atiku said.

The latest exchange is part of a growing dispute between the former president and his former deputy, with both men trading accusations over their political relationship and events surrounding the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration between 1999 and 2007.

The disagreement intensified after Obasanjo described his decision to select Atiku as his running mate in 1999 as the “biggest mistake” of his presidency and accused the former vice president of disloyalty and involvement in an alleged attempt to impeach him.

Atiku has rejected Obasanjo’s account of their political history, accusing the former president of rewriting events for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former vice president has also defended his role in the administration, arguing that he supported Obasanjo after his release from prison and helped build the political structure that eventually secured their victory in 1999.

Turning to his 2027 presidential ambition, Atiku highlighted what he described as his record of creating opportunities for young Nigerians during his tenure as vice president.

He said several young people who benefited from those opportunities had subsequently risen to become governors, ministers, directors and other public officeholders.

Atiku promised that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would continue to create opportunities for young Nigerians to participate in governance and assume leadership positions.

The former vice president is contesting the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the ADC after joining forces with other opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.