What I did not know, which came glaringly later, was his parental background which was somewhat shadowy, his propensity to corruption, his tendency to disloyalty, his inability to say and stick to the truth all the time, a propensity for poor judgement, his belief and reliance on marabouts, his lack of transparency, his trust in money to buy his way out of all issues and his readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth, and national interest for self and selfish interest” – President Obasanjo on his one – time Vice, Waziri Atiku Abubakar, in his book “MY WATCH”.
In my part of the country, anybody so literally incinerated, would never remember that the person who so vaporised him exists, ever again.
It is part of our Omoluabi ethos.
But regrettably, the Waziri Adamawa is not cut from that cloth.
He, therefore, goes forth and back to former President Segun Obasanjo like he had been told the latter is his sole access to the Nigerian presidency.
Atiku Abubakar’s persistent pursuit of the presidency, despite facing numerous setbacks, has led many to wonder if he’s a glutton for punishment, just naive or too driven by the now hackneyed prediction of those marabouts Obasanjo was first to reveal.
Or why, after seeing his many visits to Obasanjo, once with two bishops in tow, collapse like a pack of cards, would he again head to Ota, this time with mere mortals like Senator Abdul Ningi, former Cross River governor, Liyel Imoke, former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and, to really have Obasanjo’s ears, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Obasanjo’s one time very close associate.
Atiku’s convoluted relationship with President Olusegun Obasanjo is particularly intriguing, galling in fact, given their complicated history.
His determination to seek Obasanjo’s support, despite the latter’s apparent reluctance, raises questions about his motivations. Is he driven by a genuine desire to lead the country, or is it a personal vendetta? To understand this dynamic, it is essential to examine the genesis of the Obasanjo-Atiku controversy.
The feud had began on the eve of the 2003 PDP primaries, when Atiku was pressured to leave Obasanjo’s side and contest the presidency. That Atiku succumbed to that pressure sparked Obasanjo’s ire, setting the stage for a protracted and tumultuous relationship.
Fast-forward then to the present, and Atiku’s actions seem to be driven by a desire invigorated by the marabouts’ say so.
To properly contextualise matters, long before Atiku became anything outside of Nigerian customs, that is politically, marabouts had told him he would be elected governor of his state, never rule as such, but become the President after a brief time as Vice- President.
Pity, he never escaped that entrapment.
His repeated overtures to Obasanjo, despite the latter’s obvious disinterest, and continuous denigration of the supplicant, suggest a deep-seated, unalterable ambition. This behavior is perplexing, given Atiku’s extensive experience, popularity and undeniable accomplishments both in politics and business.
His critics argue that his actions are motivated by a sense of entitlement, rather than a genuine desire to serve the country.
His recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, for instance, have been characterised as “harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives” but aimed majorly at being in the limelight, especially as, rightly or wrongly, Peter Obi of the Labour party, considers himself head of the opposition.
Moreover, Atiku’s economic proposals have been serially dismissed as efette and lacking in substance. For instance, his suggestion to privatise the four government-owned refineries has been criticised as a rehash of old ideas.
Nigerians have also not forgotten the mess he made of the Privatisation programme of the Obasanjo government, as the man in charge, when between him, Obasanjo and El Rufai, they sold about 147 enterprises worth around N100B, to cronies, for not even a fifth of that amount.
Nor can we forget the PTDF cesspit.
In the light of all these, it is reasonable to ask whether Atiku’s persistence is driven by a desire to prove himself or a genuine commitment to public service. His actions seem to be motivated by a need for validation, rather than a desire to address the country’s pressing challenges.
This view is further reinforced by his visit to former President Ibahim Babangida this past week.
Apparently to sell a dummy to Nigerians he visited former President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, calling it a courtesy call ahead of the former’s book launch of Thursday, 20 February, a bare 48 hours or so away.
The Waziri very easily gives himself away. If he would meet IBB a mere 48 hours or less away, why this rush, if not in furtherance of his subterranean 2027 ambitions?
But, indeed, why visit Obasanjo or IBB anyway? When last did the candidates supported by these two titans last win any election?
Atiku just loves to be in the limelight even if such would come to naught. What a pity for a once glamorous, and respected, politician until he demonstrated what a selfish politician he is; angling so audaciously to see himself, a Northerner, succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, another Northerner, who had just completed two terms of 8 years on the platform of a political party, PDP, which has zoning enshrined in its constitution.
Ultimately, Atiku’s decision to continue seeking Obasanjo’s support, despite the latter’s apparent reluctance, raises questions about his judgment and motivations. Is he a glutton for punishment, driven by a desire for validation and acceptance? Or is he a genuine leader, committed to serving the country?
Like a child running after lolly, Atiku continues to run to a man who not only serially rubbishes him, but had the temerity to insinuate his parental background into what, essentially, was nothing more than a political contestation.
What insult will Atiku not take in his millennial pursuit of Aso Villa residency?
If he didn’t know at that time, hasn’t he been privileged to read the highly respected Awujale’s views on Obasanjo?
I can understand a Peter Obi tying himself to Obasanjo’s apron strings, not an experienced Atiku, who would soon be 80 years on terra firma.
Meanwhile he continues to further deepen the hostilities tearing the PDP, his only legitimate route to the Presidency, apart. He obviously would have acted differently, if only he had realised that come 2027, no amount of money will shake off the young turks now angling for the party”s leadership, if it manages to survive its current duel unto death.
All said, Wazirin Abubakar appears like his own worst enemy, not only by his political gallivanting, but more because he has never shown the inclination to help deepen, and get firmly rooted, any party to which he belongs, knowing full well he hasn’t the qualities to found one, yet always fighting to the death to emerge the Presidential candidate.
Nigerians are waiting with bated breath, for that day when he would see himself as an elder statesman.
