Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
To say that former vice president Atiku Abubakar is one of the biggest egos aiming to become Nigeria’s president is an understatement. For a man who contested for the presidential ticket against Moshood Abiola in 1992/93, he has come a long way in his relentless quest for the presidency of Nigeria.
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It is therefore preposterous to believe his assurances that he is ready to support Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election against his own personal interests.
Recently, the media was awash with the news that Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, hinted at the possibility of supporting his Labour Party counterpart in the last election, Peter Obi, in 2027.
Atiku, who is currently engaged in merger talks with stakeholders of some opposition political parties, stated he would not hesitate to support Obi if the party picks the former Anambra governor. According to The Sun, Atiku gave the hint in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service. Obi and Atiku had recently met behind closed doors, sparking speculations about a merger of some opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Confirming the move by opposition parties to align in a bid to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election, Atiku said, “We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.” He added that if the new “party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.”
Atiku claimed he has always been willing to step aside if the PDP zoned the presidential ticket to the South or specifically to the South-East. However, this proclamation should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. Atiku’s assertions and actions have consistently demonstrated a different narrative.
Despite his recent statements, Atiku’s history reveals a pattern of self-serving political maneuvering. His spokesperson, Paul Ibe, accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of being responsible for Peter Obi’s exit from the PDP ahead of the 2023 presidential election. Ibe stated that Atiku did not orchestrate the split, pointing fingers at Wike for playing a pivotal role due to his ambition to secure the presidency for the southern region. However, this attempt to shift blame fails to acknowledge Atiku’s own role in the internal politics of the PDP.
In 2022, it was widely held that after eight years of Muhammadu Buhari, power should shift to the South, and specifically to the South-East, which has not produced a president since 1999. Atiku, being a political schemer, began plotting how the presidential ticket would be thrown open, while Wike was scheming for zoning to the South, leveraging Rivers resources to secure it. Both Atiku and Wike were instrumental in Peter Obi leaving the PDP since Obi was not ready to influence delegates with money.
This historical context shows that Atiku’s recent statements about supporting the South-East were disingenuous, as evidenced by his swift actions to secure the PDP nomination for himself. In March 2022, a group called the North East Business Forum obtained nomination forms for Atiku, and he became the first candidate to fill and return them. This move contradicted his claims of willingness to step aside if the PDP zoned the presidency to the South-East. The committee set up by the PDP to decide on zoning the presidential ticket threw it open, benefiting both Atiku and Wike.
Atiku’s actions and statements clearly indicate that his primary concern is his own political ambition, not any genuine commitment to regional fairness or party decisions.
Peter Obi should closely study Atiku’s recent history to understand that Atiku will never be part of any alliance that does not favour him as the presidential candidate. Obi, widely believed to have won the 2023 election with significant support, does not need Atiku’s backing. In fact, Atiku needs Obi’s popularity for his own gain. Atiku, as an old political warhorse, will likely outmaneuver Peter Obi and secure the ticket for himself. Therefore, Obi should discard any notion that, in any alliance, corrupt delegates would prefer him to Atiku.
Atiku’s political maneuvering is not a new phenomenon. He defeated formidable opponents like former head of state General Ibrahim Babangida and former National Security Adviser Aliyu Gusau to emerge as the Northern Consensus candidate against President Goodluck Jonathan for the PDP presidential ticket in 2011. This political history serves as a warning to Peter Obi that Atiku is an astute and ruthless political operator who prioritizes his ambitions above all else.
The only reason Muhammadu Buhari was able to defeat Atiku in 2015 for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was due to significant financial backing from influential figures like Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chibuike Amaechi. These political heavyweights matched Atiku dollar for dollar, ensuring Buhari’s victory. This historical context underscores that Peter Obi, without similar financial backing or political clout, cannot compete with Atiku within the same party.
Peter Obi should run his own race and let Atiku run his. After all, Obi has repeatedly stated that he is not desperate to be president. Therefore, he should avoid forming an alliance with Atiku, a man whose political history is replete with self-serving strategies. Any alliance that is not built around Obi should be avoided.
Additionally, Obi should recognize that the presidency must stay in the South for eight years after Buhari’s tenure, reflecting a commitment to justice, fairness, and equity. Any alliance in which the North seeks power in 2027, either through Atiku or any other northerner, will not be tolerated by most Nigerians who supported Obi in 2023 for his competence and vision for the country.
Peter Obi should not trust Atiku Abubakar. Atiku’s political history demonstrates a clear pattern of self-interest and ruthless ambition. Forming an alliance with Atiku would likely result in Obi being outmaneuvered and marginalized. Obi should focus on building his own political base and pursuing his vision for Nigeria independently, ensuring that the presidency remains in the South and aligns with the principles of justice and equity that resonated with his supporters in 2023.