Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, shed light on the political maneuvers involving himself, President Bola Tinubu, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo back in 2007.
At a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku Abubakar gave insights into the political game that unfolded during the 2007 elections.
Atiku revealed that he had, in fact, played a crucial role in offering Lagos State to Bola Tinubu’s control back in 2003.
“At the time, the PDP had successfully secured control over the entire Southwest region,” Atiku stated. “I felt it was only fair to allow Mr. Tinubu the opportunity to govern Lagos State.”
Atiku also emphasized that when it came to the 2007 primaries in Lagos, his victory was solely based on merit, dispelling rumors about Tinubu supporting his candidacy.
He said: “Tinubu didn’t support me in 2007, at the primaries held in Lagos, I won on merit. He later sent people to me so he could be my running mate but I don’t like Muslim Muslim ticket, to date, I will never support it.
“In 2007, Tinubu worked for Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to win.
“Whereas I was the one who asked OBJ, in 2003, to leave Lagos State for him, we took all other South-West states but we deliberately left Lagos for Tinubu, unfortunately, he supported Yar’Adua against me.”