It’s a season of spectacular somersaults, and spectators are in for enlightening entertainment. Since it’s a free show, many eyes will be glued to the arena of political acrobatics, particularly with the striking entry of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, 67, whose separation from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represents possibly the biggest endorsement of the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) by a politician from the other side.
There is no denying the fact that this latest divorce, a gripping sequel to similar moves by five former PDP bigwigs and incumbent governors, Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) in November last year, mirrors a certain inconstancy, which apologists have laboured to define from the perspective of realpolitik. Expectedly, Atiku must have been conscious of the burden of fickleness as he offered a rationalisation for this specific review of his relationship with PDP.
His argument : “In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country. We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians. Sadly, however, these promises have not been kept.”
It is unclear why Atiku, the country’s second in command from 1999 to 2007, had apparently unreserved faith in those he has now charged with unfaithfulness, and returned to the party’s embrace after his alleged ejection and subsequent unsuccessful 2006 presidential run as the candidate of the former Action Congress (AC). Against the background of his embarrassing loss at the PDP’s primary for the 2011 presidential election and his subsequent alleged informal exclusion from its leadership structures, it was understandable that he felt claustrophobic and needed a new space for political expression. Interestingly, the fresh breathing space he found has turned out to be APC, which has a strong AC content, suggesting a return to familiar turf. His statement on his resignation from PDP described APC as “a party of change committed to the improvement of the lives of our people and to the continued existence and development of Nigeria as one indivisible country.” The questions are: Has he come to stay? Will he stay?
Although he called his move “the right decision”, his destination was intriguing, especially because he bypassed the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), the party he claimed to have co-founded and which he is believed to have financed heavily. This seems to corroborate the view that maybe his overriding inspiration was situational wisdom, even fair-weather logic, although he emphasised that “this is not about me”; no doubt, conscious of such damaging interpretation of his new association.
It is this possibility of unprincipled changeability that darkens the integrity of his expressed purpose and, not surprisingly, the party he has dumped twice treated his departure not only with cynicism but also farcical contempt. PDP’s Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said,” We are waiting for Atiku to go on this voyage and to come back. He has done it before. This is not the first time and we will welcome him back when he comes, because APC cannot win election.” In a significant sense, Information Minister Labaran Maku stretched the metaphor of travel, likening him to a peripatetic migrant. “They keep migrating from one place to another,” he said, adding, “A party is not just a market for people to stand for elections.”
There is no question that the issue of likely presidential aspiration is central to the pros and cons of Atiku’s defection, particularly as he has never veiled his desire to be president. It is probable that he was only being diplomatic when he declared, “ I will do all within my God-given powers to help the APC win elections all over Nigeria and bring true change to our country and its long-suffering people.” Whether in the unlikely event that he chooses to sacrifice his predictable ambition, or in the context of his possible failure to win the party ticket, all eyes will be on Atiku. The unfolding drama, with the twists and turns that are to be expected, will be interesting to follow.
Being a political acrobat must come with its own difficulties, and it would appear that even Atiku must appreciate the fact that his latest flip puts him in a tough position. It certainly won’t enhance his image, if he continues to indulge in spins, which is not to say that he should become undynamic. Indeed, the concept of perpetual motion may be without virtue in this case. It is noteworthy that Atiku was a prominent member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Third Republic, apart from his two-time membership of PDP, his time in AC and link with PDM.
Given the diverse ideological strands suggested by these platforms, it is important to consider whether Atiku’s political trajectory is informed by any firm philosophy. It is too easy and unconvincing merely to appeal to a self-righteous interest in working for thoroughgoing socio-political change and advancement, without any demonstration of a fundamental guiding principle. Talk is cheap!
According to him, “The process of building a nation, of securing and deepening democracy is indeed difficult. And it is not a lineal process. There would be alignment and realignment of political forces. There would be ups and downs and zigzags, triumphs and challenges. Amidst all that, patriots must remain focused and do what has to be done to save and build the country and serve our people better.”
In other words, perhaps more acrobatic displays should be expected, and even Atiku should not be ruled out. The poet Christopher Okigbo wrote of “a going and coming that goes on forever.” In this specific context, the going and coming cannot go on forever.
