Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shared a chilling story of an alleged assassination attempt in Kaduna State, revealing how he hid his wife and children in a wardrobe before confronting armed assailants.
Speaking to the graduating class of 2025 at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Atiku recalled the harrowing experience when attackers opened fire on him but missed.
“I hid my wife and children in a wardrobe and stepped forward to face the attackers. They shot at me but missed. I stood up and demanded, ‘Why did you fire?’ That’s what courage looks like,” he said.
Atiku, who founded AUN, also reflected on his rejection of a military offer for a governorship position without an election. He refused the offer, choosing instead to earn his political success, becoming Vice President in 1999.
“In 1999, I earned it the right way and became Vice President,” he told the graduates.
He urged the students to embrace resilience and integrity in the face of adversity, sharing lessons from his own political journey: “I’ve faced tribulations. I’ve been hunted, but I never wavered.”
“Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise,” he added, drawing from his experience in Nigeria’s turbulent political history.
Atiku also paid tribute to his late mentor, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, recalling how the general remained calm even when facing a death sentence.
“His blood pressure was normal on the day of his scheduled execution. That’s a soldier. That’s courage,” Atiku said.
His speech, a blend of personal anecdotes and political history, aimed to inspire the graduates as they prepare to tackle future challenges.
