With former vice president Atiku Abubakar recent calculations which saw him go back to his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, suggest his interest to join again for yet another attempt in the race to presidency for the 2019 general election.
But while the defection of Atiku ahead of the election may not be greeted with much enthusiasm by many political gladiators and watchers, especially those strongly linked with the ruling party, others however have expressed satisfaction in the development.
Atiku, like President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC who contested presidential elections four times before he finally clinched the position, is contesting the presidency for the third time, with much optimism to emerge winner.
Of course expected mechanisms are beginning to be set in motions, as the former vice president has started visiting various relevant political clouts in a bid to win their support. And apart from this, the compacted fusion of the PDP, where Atiku is expected to contest a primary election in order to stand as the party’s flag bearer or at least being fielded as a consensus candidate if the party so concluded, is a major determinant to pave way for his emergence as president in 2019.
PDP had had a turbulent storm that rented the party apart as stalwarts and other members began to defect en masse to the ruling APC following a leadership crisis which left it in factions. But it managed to put its house in order and gradually emerging as a viable opposition to challenge the ruling party. And this has been climaxed in the just held convention which produced its national chairman Uche Secondus.
Although the coast seems clearer for the Adamawa born politician with the performance of the APC in the last two years, which many have been decried, noting that the party failed in its expectations to provide the desired changed being championed in the build up to the last general election. But there are more huddles for the former vice president to jump. The Rabiu Kwankwaso-factor and a host of others are confrontations for Atiku to address.
There are indications that the former Kano state governor is mobilizing supports to his ranks. While Arewa Youth Consultative Forum led by Yerima Shettima had also asked aspirants above the age of 60 to perish the thought of becoming president, Northern Youth Forum For National Development, Turaki Yahaya Abubakar, said he and his team have pitched tents with Kwankwaso.
His argument was that Kwankwaso being the youngest of Buhari and Atiku, would have the vigour and would be able to carry the weight of governance if elected as president.
His words: “The Northern Youth Forum For National Development is more interested in Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso due to some reasons including his youthful age. Age is no longer in favour of Atiku. Buhari spent many months in London on medical grounds with civil society groups and Nigerians divided on whether he should resign or remain in office.
“Kwankwaso is very hard working, philanthropic, charismatic, faithful and sincere concerning all his commitments. He will also take everybody along. He has so many leadership qualities unlike other northern leaders regardless of party affliction. If elected, he will certainly transform our nation economically and otherwise. He is our choice and the best of all,” he said.
Read Also:
If there is anything to go by with the argument of the norther youth leader, the emphasis on vigour which is largely predicated on age, apparently cannot be jettisoned.
Many have come to terms with the saying that being young in age and at heart have corresponding effects on output, and this perhaps could be noted in Kwankwaso, who according to records, delivered considerably well while he was Kano state governor.
But even if Atiku managed to surmount Kwankwaso factor, he is not widely accepted by a vast majority of Nigerians, who are of the opinion that the former vice president was one of those very many politicians that plunged the country deep into its present quagmire.
A political historian and social commentator, Oladele Akinlabi, while reliving the country’s political antecedents, submitted that Atiku was a major player who has shaped the polity, especially in the present democratic dispensation with its ailing phenomena.
“Atiku has contributed to where we are as a nation today. He is part of those who looted our funds while he was the Comptroller General of customs, and when he was the vice president. He is one of the politicians who use our money to build private universities, own investments outside the country and create fertile ground for corruption to flourish.
“As if that was not enough he still wants to come and impoverish us further to pack away the little money this present government is trying to recover for the good of all. And no wonder because the APC is not fertile for him to amass wealth he has jumped back to the PDP, a party which for 16 years wasted our resources,” he said.
Akinlabi’s argument in many quarters among watchers of political events found footings as more reactions negatively trail the opposition PDP, which is believed to be the bane of the country’s sorry state.
Meanwhile former president Olusegun Obasanjo remains resolute in his stand against Atiku’s ambition.
Obasanjo, who insisted that Atiku would not become president while he is alive, has been drawing attention from political events enthusiasts, who are expecting the former president to comment on the development.
There are indications that PDP bigwigs in northern region are awaiting for the verdict of Obasanjo on Atiku before they determine if he would be given the ticket or not.
Corroborating, former president Goodluck Jonathan clearly told Atiku to beg Obasanjo if he wants to get the ticket. “Atiku must beg or apologise to ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo to get the 2019 presidential ticket of the PDP on a ‘platter of gold’. Although he has quit partisan politics but he still a strong factor in shaping the future of the party and who might eventually become president,” Jonathan stressed.
Atiku recently had a closed-door meeting with former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida. And the meeting, according to political pundits, may not be unconnected with his ambition and how to get the support of his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo.
However, as the challenges to Atiku’s presidential dream continue to fester ahead of the election, there is a need for the former vice president if indeed he wants to win the contest to maintain his focus in order to contain the growing tensions, which are capable of dousing his ambition.
