Former APC chieftain Timi Frank has launched a fresh defence of Atiku Abubakar after Olusegun Obasanjo renewed criticism of his former vice president, insisting that the former President will live to see Atiku become Nigeria’s president.
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has fired back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo following his latest criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Frank, a prominent supporter of Atiku, declared that Obasanjo would live to witness the former vice president become President of Nigeria.
His intervention comes as an old political rivalry between Obasanjo and Atiku has returned to the spotlight, with both men exchanging fresh comments over their years in government and their political differences.
Frank Defends Atiku
Frank’s comments were made in response to Obasanjo’s latest remarks about Atiku, whom the former president served with as vice president between 1999 and 2007.
Obasanjo recently described his decision to select Atiku as his running mate as the “greatest mistake” of his life, saying that if he had known him as he later came to know him, he would not have picked him.
The former president, however, said he held no bitterness towards Atiku and acknowledged that events unfolded according to what each man believed he needed to do.
‘You Will Witness Atiku as President’
Frank rejected the attempt to diminish Atiku’s political credentials and expressed confidence that the former vice president would still achieve his long-standing presidential ambition.
He told Obasanjo that he would live to witness Atiku occupy Nigeria’s highest political office.
The statement represents a direct challenge to Obasanjo’s assessment of Atiku and comes at a time when the former vice president is positioning himself as a major opposition contender ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obasanjo and Atiku’s Old Rivalry Returns
The latest exchange has reopened one of the most enduring political relationships in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Obasanjo and Atiku came to power together in 1999, with Atiku serving as vice president throughout Obasanjo’s two terms.
Their relationship later deteriorated, producing years of political disagreements and public accusations.
The latest comments have once again pushed their complicated political history into the national conversation as the 2027 presidential contest gathers momentum.
Atiku’s 2027 Campaign Gathers Pace
Atiku is now contesting the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress, with his campaign increasingly focused on presenting him as a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu.
Recent political developments have seen Atiku intensify his mobilisation efforts, including the launch of the RiseUpNaija Movement, which is targeting millions of votes for the ADC ahead of the election.
The former vice president has also continued to defend his political record against criticism from former allies and opponents.
Fresh Political Battle Ahead
Frank’s intervention adds another layer to the growing battle surrounding Atiku’s 2027 ambition.
While Obasanjo has publicly expressed serious reservations about his former vice president, Atiku’s supporters insist that his experience and political background make him capable of leading Nigeria.
With the 2027 contest already taking shape, the latest exchange shows that the political battle around Atiku is likely to extend far beyond party structures and campaign rallies.