Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says former president Atiku Abubakar “can never enjoy” his support for a political office.

He said though he had no personal grudges against the former vice president, God will never forgive him if he supports Atiku’s presidential ambition.

In an exclusive interview with Premium Times, Obasanjo stated that he only works with anyone “working for the good of Nigeria”.

“How can I be on the same side with Atiku?” Mr Obasanjo asked. “To do what?”

“If I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes. But once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support,” he was quoted as saying.

“I do not have personal grudges with anyone. If you do not do well for Nigeria, you do not do well for all of us.”

“Most of you do not understand the way I operate,” Mr Obasanjo said. “And I thought your own paper will understand better.”

On a personal note, he added, “If my children are getting married, he has sent representatives. If his children are getting married, I have sent representatives. That is social. That is not political.

But “on political ground, my position has not changed. If I support Atiku for a political office other than the one I supported him in the past when I did not know him,” maybe, but not “now that I know him, God will not forgive me.”