The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that he provided financial and personal support to former President Olusegun Obasanjo after his release from prison, saying he "clothed and fed" the former leader when he had little to his name.

Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in response to Obasanjo's recent comments that his greatest political regret was choosing Atiku as his vice president.

According to Atiku, he reacted to the former president's remarks with sadness rather than anger, insisting that he remained loyal to Obasanjo during his incarceration by supporting his family and working alongside others to secure his release.

He further claimed that after Obasanjo regained his freedom, he ensured the former military ruler lacked nothing and assisted him in rebuilding his political network, which eventually culminated in his emergence as Nigeria's president in 1999.

"History records that while Chief Obasanjo was in prison, I stood firmly by him. I supported his family, worked tirelessly with other patriots for his release and never wavered in my belief that he deserved his freedom.

"When he eventually regained his freedom, he had little to his name. I received him, clothed him, ensured he was properly cared for and extended every support necessary to help him regain his footing," Atiku stated.

The former vice president also dismissed Obasanjo's criticism, alleging that the former president's continued attacks stemmed from his opposition to the controversial third-term agenda during the Obasanjo administration.

"I am proud that I stood against the third-term agenda. I am proud that I stood by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no apology whatsoever for frustrating every attempt to subvert our democracy for personal ambition," he said.

Atiku maintained that if Obasanjo's resentment was rooted in his refusal to support a constitutional amendment that would have extended the former president's tenure, he would regard such resentment as "a badge of honour."

He argued that the struggle against the third-term bid was not a personal battle but a defence of Nigeria's democracy and constitutional order.

He added that history had vindicated those who opposed the move.

The ADC presidential candidate also referenced recent commendation by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who, according to him, described the economic management team he led during the Obasanjo administration as one of Nigeria's best, questioning the timing of the former president's latest criticism.

Atiku said he had no regrets over the assistance he rendered to Obasanjo, stressing that acts of kindness should not be repaid with what he described as historical revisionism.

He added that although he had exercised restraint out of respect for Obasanjo's status as a former president, such restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

"Chief Obasanjo is entitled to his opinions. He is entitled to his personal grievances. What he is not entitled to are his own facts.

"History is stubborn. It cannot be rewritten by bitterness, nor erased by repeated falsehoods. In the end, history will render its verdict, and so will the Nigerian people," Atiku said.

He further urged political leaders to focus on addressing Nigeria's economic challenges, insecurity and unemployment ahead of the 2027 general election rather than revisiting past political disagreements.