•By Political Analyst, FEMI OKE
Let’s start telling ourselves some home truths: Leaders do not have to be Loyal or Principled, but Single minded, Focused with a Dogged, Relentless Determination to Succeed
Atiku is Experienced, & Humble, an Astute Buisnessman ever ready to lead Nigeria, the chosen one, most highly favoured, whose time has come. The Unifiyer who will Unify Nigeria.
Atiku has been at the centre of Nigeria’s Politics for decades with a singleminded ambition to become Nigeria’s democratic president for decades. He is the forever, perpetual candidate whose quest to lead Nigeria started since 1992. He has contested for the Presidency 5 times unsuccessfully, this being his 6th attempt to become Nigeria’s President.
This sound familiar, the Northern Messiah who promised to fix Nigeria; made equally numerous unsuccessful bids to lead Nigeria, is non other than President Buhari, when he finally got his heart’s desire how did he fare? Nigerians will decide in few days. Since 1999, Atiku has jumped from pillar to post competing for the Presidency under AC, PDP, APC and back to PDP. Some consider this lack of consistency, political prostitution.
As VP, Atiku sort to dethrone his own President Obasanjo from securing his 2nd Term until Baba Knelt before him in submission. This says a lot about loyalty.
Despite being ostracised in OBJ’s 2nd term Atiku is entitiled to claim Executive responsibility for the Successes of Obasanjo’s economic policies during his tenure as Head of the National Economic Council.
He was also Head of the National Council on Privatization, which oversaw the stripping & mass sale of Fed govt assets, allegedly to his political cronies & friends for pittance & associated kickbacks. Atiku started from humble beginnings in the Nigerian Customs rising to Deputy Director. He took advantage of Indigenisation Legislation whilst still in Customs to acquire shares & position INTEL as a primary cash cow in the Ports.
As Proprietor of American University of Nigeria the first American-style private University to be established in sub-saharan Africa, Atiku is a big supporter of Education.
OBJ: There are no saints amongst the major candidates. Despite previously endorsing Atiku, OBJ condemed Atiku as being highly corrupt, an indictment corroborated by others close to Atiku & a US Senate Committee Investigations rendered under Oath that indicted Atiku of bribery, Money Laundering & Grand Corruption, by SPV Allegations leading to Prosecutions & Convictions of a Sitting US House of Reps Memmber J. Jeffreson Siemens & Divorce of his wife Jennifer Douglas.
Atiku’s Defenders insist OBJ’s statements are based on a vindictiveness due to Atiku’s opposition to his 3rd Term ambition, which would have scuttled Atiku’s presidential ambition.
They have no response to revelations of the US Senate Committe Investigations except to say with No Conviction, Atiku remains innocent until proven guilty of all allegations. Will Atiku ever have his day in court to face these allegations here in Nigeria or the US, only time will tell. Victory at the polls will give him presidential & diplomatic immunity from Prosecution.
As Atiku claims plaudits for the economic growth & all positive economic indicators of OBJ’s Govt he must accept it’s Failures to deliver standard rail, motorable national road network & effective power infrastructure, non working refineries, import dependency & the highest Inflation rate since 1999. None of our Millennium & Sustainable Development Goals were ever met.
Atiku is facing an Election; which should be smooth sailing considering the widespread negative perception of a Buhari led APC Govt, which they insist has Failed, Divided & Destroyed Nigeria with failed promises.
Atiku fulfilment of my presidential ambition is the best opportunity for an Igbo presidency.
Others insist this is an arrogant stance that belittles their claims of marginalisation & fulfilment of a fair & just Nigeria. One wonders why PDP didn’t zone its presidential candidate to the SE a zone commited to PDP, since 1999.
Some beleive it doesn’t matter where the President comes from, so long as he can deliver good governance & Alhaji Atiku is the best candidate to recover and fix Nigeria.
Others favour presidential rotation to the South after 8yrs of a Northern Hausa/Fulani Muslim, Herder President. How can Atiku the Unifiyer unite Nigerians, when he can’t unite his Party?
Some in PDP say PDP presidency has been dominated by the South so it’s time for a Northern PDP President. There is likely to be a Backlash against this view but it’s not certain how Damaging it will be for Atiku without a consensus southern candidate.
G5 Govrs led by Wike & the integrity faction of PDP insist the party cannot continue with Northern domination having both a Northern Presidential candidate & Northern party Chairman. They say Ayu must go and back presidential shift to the South, accusing Gov. Okowa Atiku’s VP candidate of treachery. Back stabbing is standard in Nigerian politics.
With a divided party, Atiku is not only facing an awesome APC juggernaut in Asiwaju he is also facing former PDPians; Kwankwaso in the North & Obi in the South, who seek to decimate PDP’s strongholds in SE, SS, NC & parts of NW.
Atiku’s inability to Unite PDPians at a time when he should take advantage of the disastrous economic, security & social conditions may prove his undoing. A divided House cannot stand. PDP Crises What Crises?
The chaos of Buhari’s new naira policies delivering lack of new naira coupled with lack of fuel so close to the general elections; seen by some as sabotage against APC, is likely to favour Atiku.
Not all Nigerians are suffering from collective amnesia, many will have to decide whether they have forgiven PDP, can Trust Atiku & Stomach another 8yrs of Northern hegemony homination, despite claims of marginalisation.
How will Atiku restructure Nigeria when he couldn’t restructure PDP ? In any case it is only the legislature that can restructure Nigeria through constitutional amendments. There is a possibility of a slim Atiku victory, but without contol of NASS, how will this manifesto promise be achieved. Let’s not deceive ourselves.
Time is running out for Atiku to put his PDP House in order, but he must be gladdended the G5 Govrs have not openly named or endorsed an alternative candidate. All is not as it appears on the surface. A victory for Atiku will however be the best Panacea to heal PDP? as they will coalesce for relevance to share Positions & Largesse.
Atiku’s rallies across Nigeria even in SE has been well attended even in Ibadan PDPians chanted Atiku, Atiku, Atiku at a Makinde rally. Religion & Tribal sentiment ought not to be mixed with politics but this is Nigeria. Is Waziri Atiku the Mogaji, Emi Lo Kan of the North. He won’t have it all his own way. Kwankwaso is claiming to be a NW Regional Champion seeking to be the New Messiah of the North to takeover from Buhari with his Kwankasia Movement, which appears to be more Focused in the North.
There is likely to be a 3 way split of core northern votes between APC, PDP & NNPP with Obi making Marginal gains in NC sadly Alhaji Atiku’s PDP presidential campaign appears to be using religion as a political weapon to gain votes. criticising APC’s Muslim/Muslim ticket, which is not debarred by the 1999 constitution.
His campaign has gathered support from a large number of prominent former APCians disgruntled by APC’s Muslim/Muslim ticket. Many becoming prominent Christian spokespersons of the campain in favour of another 8yrs muslim presidency.
Atiku has shown his willingness to attend & capacity at political Town Hall debates, but choose not to attend Chatham House like other candidates. The Electorate are looking forward to debates between the 4 main candidates or Asiwaju vs Atiku one-on one, no Boxing. It would be very lively. They say they are friends watch out Nigerian Media get your Acts Together.
If PDP can maintain control of most of it’s PDP controlled Northern States win back some key APC controlled Northen states and maintain its votes in SS & SW. Atiku could emerge Victorious with a slim victory, despite expected losses in SE & some NC States.
PDP’s path to victory is not in the bag despite the harsh economic conditions, insecurity, perceived division & eleveth hour self inflicted hardship policies of Buhari’s APC led Govt; hitting ordinary Nigerians, who cant get new naira cash or fuel. There is much more work to do in the last few days of campaigning. We are watching. May the best candidate win. If you’ve got your PVC, make sure you vote, guard your vote & make your vote count, stay tuned for series III on Peter Obi
What’s your View? Please share thanks Femi Oke Betta9ja
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