How ATIKU’s Plan To Lure Him Out Of LABOUR Failed!
The news of Coalition of political structures that involves the like of former Vice President Alhaji Abubakar, former Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, and many other political gladiators across the country like Rotimi Ameachi, Rauf Aregbosola, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, has been the major topic in almost every where in the last few weeks.
This group has strategically gathered top politicians across the board, both the aggrieved and the opposition, irrespective of their party and state.
The big news of the coalition was Peter Obi and Atiku working together to unseat President Tinubu for the 2027 presidency; a strategy that has been said to define the political dynamics in the 2027 election. But that hasn’t seen the light of day, as a result of ego, self-interests and demands which vary..
What we found out! According to some prominent political analysts, they opined that all this coalition and forming a strong body under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to dislodge the present government, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is Atiku’s thing and it’s a deliberate attempt to bring more people on board irrespective of their political affiliation and beliefs. It’s a well-thought-out plan and strategy. “Atiku knows that this will be his last attempt, given his age. He’s 78 this year and he would be 80 in 2 years.”
He has been meeting Peter Obi and still trying to convince him about his vision and agenda, but it seems Peter Obi hasn’t bought into his idea.
He has repeatedly told Obi his plan and how that can also help not just him but Obi’s ambition. He has proposed to him that he wants Obi to run with him as Vice Presidential candidate, and in 4 years, he would hand over to him. Peter Obi, on the other hand, has also proposed the same thing.
Atiku, from the meeting, has told him (Peter Obi) that they can not afford to run or face the incumbent President separately in an election and expect to defeat him. And Peter Obi has also corroborated that in one of his interviews a few weeks back. He also told Peter Obi that age is not on his side, unlike him, who is still much younger. These are some of the issues that were discussed.
But the major plot of Atiku forming a coalition is to lure people, especially the likes of Peter Obi, out of the Labour Party, knowing that once you leave a party to join another one, it will be difficult to go back. According to people in Atiku’s camp, Obi is being deceived by Atiku led coalition. “Don’t forget the likes Of David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, especially Abubakar Mallami who was served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation under the past governent and many more who formed the coalition are rooting for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. It was rumoured that some of the people are the ones rooting for Atiku in the last election despite being All Progressives Congress members”.
“They have started another plot against the North agenda knowing that they have the number”
“Their plan is well thought out. Get Peter Obi by luring him out of his party, and then, after a few months in ADC, he would be told that the Presidential candidate can only emerge through the primary election of the party. This was the plan and Peter Obi didn’t fall for it. He realised it on time and he strategically pulled out of the game”.
That’s why a few days ago, Peter Obi came out boldly that he would only accept a coalition where he would be allowed to run for President, not as VP. He debunked any attempt to make him run along with Atiku as VP. He dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.
“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”
Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.
“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”
On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.
“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”
He then took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.
“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”
Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.”
Atiku plan B!
While working on Peter Obi as a running candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar, it has also been said that there is a plan B if Peter Obi refuses to work with him. It has been said from multiple sources that Rotimi Amaechi could become his running mate, and it’s looking like a well-thought-out plan between the people who formed the coalition.
They believed that with Amaechi as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in 2027, they would have the needed number.
“That’s why he’s also positioning himself to run as President. He knows that the ticket of the coalition is going to North, and all he’s doing is self-positioning, knowing well that Peter Obi will refuse to play the game.”
At the unveiling of the coalition on a few weeks back, interim chairman, David Mark said it was an attempt to save the country’s democracy and to stop Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.
However, analysts said the coalition is bound to be torn apart by the ambition of some of the key political figures on the question of which part of the country should its presidential candidate come from.
Amaechi, while on TV a few days ago, recalled how he fought for the return of power to the North in 2015, saying he believes in power sharing between the two major regions of the country. “I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years. But after four years, the government reneged on it, and I said no, that would be unfair. That will be instability at its peak because the North will react.
Mr Amaechi added that in line with the power-sharing principle, he would be a one-term president if given the chance to lead the country in 2027. “I won’t do more than four years,” he said, adding that “the South must be allowed to complete its tenure. If the South is not allowed to complete its tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting it.”
–Isaac Abimbade
(08155107955)
