Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has ruled out the possibility of his support for the presidential ambition of his former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Obasanjo told online publication, Premium Times, in Abeokuta, that the former vice president should not count on his support in next yearโs election, or at any other time.
Atiku recently formally declared his interest to seek the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the election.
โHow can I be on the same side with Atiku? To do what?,โ Obasanjo asked rhetorically in response to a question during the interview.
He added: โIf I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes, but once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support.โ
Obasanjo dismissed suggestions that he had personal grudges against Atiku, saying: โIf you do not do well for Nigeria, you do not do well for all of us.
โIt is not a question of working with or not working with an individual.
โIf you are working for the good of Nigeria, I am working with you. If you are not working for the good of Nigeria it does not matter who you are I am not working with you.โ
Obasanjo fell out with Atiku midway into their tenure as president and vice president between 1999 and 2003 but managed to patch up their differences to contest the 2003 election together.
But once they emerged winners in that election, their hostilities resumed full blast and have not been able to mend fences ever since despite pretensions from both sides.
The former president recently formed what he called Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) to, in his words, rescue Nigeria from its present mess.
The group has since adopted a political party, African Democratic Congress, for the purpose of realizing its dream of a new Nigeria and take over from President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ADC has gone into an alliance with the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others to present a common candidate against Buhari next year.
Asked if he would support Atiku in the event he emerged as the coalitionโs candidate, Obasanjo retorted: โI know Atiku very well. And I have mentioned my position with Atiku. My position has not changed.
โIf my children are getting married, he has sent representatives. If his children are getting married, I have sent representatives. That is social. That is not political.
โOn political ground, my position has not changed. If I support Atiku for a political office other than the one I supported him in the past when I did not know him, maybe, but not now that I know him, God will not forgive me.โ
