YOLA, NIGERIA — Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has shared a chilling personal story of survival, revealing he narrowly escaped death in an assassination attempt in Kaduna State.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, which he founded, Atiku told the Class of 2025 how gunmen once stormed his home, forcing him to hide his wife and children in a wardrobe before bravely confronting the attackers.
“They shot at me but missed,” he recounted. “I stood up and asked, ‘Why did you fire?’ That’s what courage looks like.”
The political heavyweight used the platform to reflect on his long journey through Nigeria’s political turbulence. He revealed that during the era of military rule, he was offered a governorship seat without an election—an offer he firmly rejected.
“When we resisted military dictatorship, they offered me a governorship position without an election. I turned it down. In 1999, I earned it the right way and became Vice President,” Atiku said.
He encouraged graduates to lead with integrity and courage, stressing that trials are inevitable in life, but resilience defines character.
“I’ve been hunted, I’ve faced tribulations, but I never wavered. Patience is not weakness—it is the weapon of the wise,” he added.
Atiku also paid emotional tribute to his late mentor, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, describing his composure before a death sentence as the highest form of courage.
“His blood pressure was normal on the day of his scheduled execution. That’s a soldier,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President’s speech was a mix of personal sacrifice, political resistance, and life lessons aimed at preparing graduates for a challenging world ahead.
His remarks have since sparked national conversations about leadership, perseverance, and the harsh realities of Nigeria’s political past.
