Atiku on Boko Haram: Obasanjo Ended Insurgency Swiftly with Political Will
Atiku Credits Early Victory Against Boko Haram to Strong Political Will
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo decisively crushed the Boko Haram insurgency when it first emerged in 2002, citing swift action and political resolve as key.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a meeting with political stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, Atiku shared details of how the government under Obasanjo moved promptly to contain the extremist threat.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Atiku recounted how Obasanjo summoned him for advice shortly after Boko Haram appeared in Yobe State.
Boko Haram’s First Appearance in 2002 Quickly Suppressed – Atiku
“You remember when Boko Haram started in Yobe? It was actually in 2002. We were in office,” Atiku said. “The president sent for me and asked, ‘VP, what do we do about this?’ I told him to call in the Service Chiefs and give them a deadline. If they couldn’t handle it, they should step down and let others take over.”
According to Atiku, the advice was taken seriously. Obasanjo summoned the military high command and gave them strict marching orders.
“Within a few weeks, they put down the insurgency in Yobe. It never came up again until we left office,” he said.
This statement by the former Vice President has sparked renewed discussions on the impact of political will against insurgency and how leadership can influence national security outcomes.
Atiku Blames Later Resurgence of Boko Haram on Weak Leadership
Reflecting on the group’s resurgence years after he left office, Atiku attributed the worsening insecurity across Nigeria to poor leadership and the failure to act decisively when lives were at stake.
“So I will say there’s a lack of political will on the part of our leaders. When people are being killed and the leaders do nothing, it shows a total failure of responsibility,” he stated.
The former Vice President lamented that leaders who remain indifferent while citizens are murdered do not deserve to hold public office.
“How can you eat when your citizens are being killed? That is the height of irresponsibility,” he added.
Political Will Against Insurgency: A Call for Leadership Accountability
The remarks by Atiku on Boko Haram bring renewed attention to the issue of leadership accountability in tackling Nigeria’s long-standing security challenges.
He emphasized that had successive administrations adopted the same urgency and commitment as Obasanjo’s government, the insurgency could have been permanently extinguished.
Atiku’s statement comes at a time when insecurity—especially in the North-East, Middle Belt, and parts of the North-West—remains a persistent threat to national stability and economic development.
Flashback: Atiku’s Role in the Obasanjo Administration
Atiku served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, under the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, during the Fourth Republic following the end of military rule. Their tenure was marked by economic reforms, increased foreign investment, and initial steps toward confronting extremism in northern Nigeria.
His latest comments offer insight into how high-level political coordination once helped Nigeria overcome early signs of insurgency, contrasting with what he describes as a troubling absence of will in recent times.
Conclusion: Atiku on Boko Haram Revives Debate on Security Strategy
The statements by Atiku on Boko Haram serve as both a historical reflection and a political critique. By recounting how strong political will against insurgency enabled Obasanjo’s administration to suppress Boko Haram’s early threats, Atiku has reignited conversations around the need for more committed and courageous leadership.
As Nigeria continues to battle with armed groups, terrorism, and banditry, the call for decisive, accountable governance remains more urgent than ever.
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Atiku on Boko Haram
political will against insurgency
