Atiku Abubakar's Governorship Claim: Verifying the Facts

Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and presidential aspirant, claimed he contested for the governorship position four different times before winning in 1999. However, an investigation reveals that his narrative may be exaggerated. Abubakar won the governorship of Adamawa in 1999 but did not assume the position as he was chosen as Vice President to Olusegun Obasanjo. He made this claim in a speech to support groups championing his 2023 presidential ambition.

Key Takeaways:

Atiku Abubakar won the governorship of Adamawa in 1999 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but did not assume the position as Vice President to Olusegun Obasanjo.
Abubakar made two attempts before the 1999 governorship election to be on the ballot, but did not succeed.
In one of the attempts, the election did not hold due to the breakup of Gongola State into Adamawa and Taraba States by the Babangida Government.
Abubakar was disqualified by the government from contesting the elections, and thus only made an unsuccessful bid to be on the ballot.
He contested the SDP presidential primaries in 1993, coming third behind MKO Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe.
Abubakar also attempted to contest the Adamawa State governorship seat under the United Nigeria Congress Party, but there was no election due to the transition program ending with the death of General Abacha.

Statistics:

Atiku Abubakar won the 1999 Adamawa governorship election.
He made two unsuccessful attempts to be on the ballot before the 1999 governorship election.
In one of the attempts, the election did not hold due to the breakup of Gongola State.
Abubakar came third in the 1993 SDP presidential primaries.
He has made four failed attempts to become President, in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019.

Sources:

Source: Article quoting Atiku Abubakar's statement to leaders of over 200 support groups championing his 2023 presidential ambition.
Source: Article detailing Atiku Abubakar's background and political career.