Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, recently reunited at the celebration of WOTCLEF Foundation’s 25th Anniversary in Abuja, signaling an end to their longstanding feud.

Obasanjo and Atiku, who served together from 1999 and 2007, have been at odds for many years. Despite numerous calls for reconciliation, Obasanjo claimed in 2022 that appointing Atiku as his vice president was a mistake.

Atiku, on his part, stated that he refrained from running against Obasanjo in the 2003 election to uphold the zoning policy of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also mentioned that his close relationship with National Assembly members helped him thwart Obasanjo’s third-term bid.

The two former statesmen were recently seen walking side by side and holding hands as they arrived at the WOTCLEF event in Abuja.

In a post shared on Atiku’s X on Monday, October 28, 2024, the former vice president praised Obasanjo for supporting the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, WOTCLEF, Bill while in office.

Atiku’s wife, Titi Abubakar, established WOTCLEF, an agency that fights against women trafficking. Expressing his excitement on social media, Atiku said, “It’s a profound privilege to stride alongside our esteemed former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, into the vibrant celebration of WOTCLEF Foundation’s 25th Anniversary in Abuja. This moment is a testament to the unwavering support the Foundation has received from President Obasanjo. -AA”

His statement read in part, “Today, we gather not only to celebrate an important milestone—the 25th anniversary of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, known affectionately as WOTCLEF— but also to honour a vision that has reshaped the landscape of human rights and social justice in Nigeria.

Before I begin, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for being here today. Your presence underscores your commitment to eradicating the horrific realities of human trafficking and child labour, as well as your steadfast support for the rights of women and children in our nation.

The Journey of WOTCLEF

Twenty-five years ago, in 1999, our journey commenced. It was a year of transformative promise—a year that heralded not just the dawn of a new democracy, but also the emergence of a beacon of hope for our most vulnerable. WOTCLEF arose from a profound need for change, to confront the grim realities faced by so many, where the innocent often fell victim to human trafficking, child labour, and abuse.

At the heart of this initiative was my beloved wife, Her Excellency Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, who recognized the urgency to become a voice for the voiceless upon my swearing-in as Vice President.

As I stand here today, I am filled with pride and admiration for Titi. Her unwavering dedication to combatting human trafficking and child labour has changed countless lives. She did not merely witness the suffering of women and children; she took decisive action to lead the charge for change.

Faced with the ravages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the scars left by years of military dictatorship, Titi envisioned a better future—a future where democratic governance reignites hope and empowers every individual to reclaim their dignity and rights. WOTCLEF stands as a testament not only to her compassion but also to the transformative power of our democratic journey.

Reflecting on our past, let us acknowledge the incredible strides made through this organization and its partners. Thanks to WOTCLEF's advocacy, we witnessed the establishment of NAPTIP—the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters. This agency has become a vital ally in our national fight against the heinous crime of trafficking.

I take this moment to express our profound gratitude to members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, for their decisive action on July 7, 2003, in passing the WOTCLEF-sponsored private member bill that laid the foundation for the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003, which birthed NAPTIP. This legislative milestone prioritized the protection of our most vulnerable citizens.

Furthermore, I want to extend our profound and most heartfelt appreciation to President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007) for his swift assent to the WOTCLEF bill, which prohibited women trafficking and child labour in Nigeria. His courageous leadership fostered the environment that energized WOTCLEF's mission, reinforcing our democratic values while delivering vital hope to our downtrodden communities.

Subsequent Nigerian Presidents have carried forward this noble effort, recognizing the urgency of combatting women trafficking and child labour. They diligently scrutinized the 2003 Act, leading to its repeal and re-enactment on March 26, 2015, by President Muhammadu Buhari, which re-established NAPTIP as a federal agency devoted to fighting the most egregious violations of women's and children's rights.

Together, these actions highlight the strength of collaborative governance, and our collective will to build a safer, fairer society for all.

Watch the video below.

It’s a profound privilege to stride alongside our esteemed former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, into the vibrant celebration of WOTCLEF Foundation’s 25th Anniversary in Abuja. This moment is a testament to the unwavering support the Foundation has received from President… pic.twitter.com/OuuBwMd7io

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) October 28, 2024