ATIKU : A BLISS THAT COMES AFTER THE RAIN
By
Abdullahi Abba
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ( Wazirin Adamawa ) has been a formidable force in the Nigerian political space for almost three decades. The Waziri has managed to remain relevant in the political space despite being out of office for 13 years and counting.
The Lion of Jada, Alhaji Abubakar over time has created a network of power friends and associates across the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria. Atiku, being a seasoned democrat has established himself as a pan Nigerian personality whose political goodwill spreads across ethnic & religious lines.
Alhaji Abubakar was the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) in the 2019 General Elections. Although, He came second in the Presidential Race , Alhaji Abubakar was voted in at least 2 states in 5 out of the 6 geopolitical zones of the country. Despite being a Northern Fulani man from the North Eastern Part of Nigeria , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar swept all 11 states in the South South & South East geopolitical zones of the country , also winning 2 out of 6 states in the South West , 2 out of the 6 states in the North East , 2 out the 6 states in the North Central accompanied by a resounding victory in the Nations Seat of Power , The Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja.
Muhammadu Buhari who has always depended on the large numbers coming out from Northern Nigeria to make a showing during elections won for the first time in 2015 with extra votes from the South West states where despite being an incumbent president in 2019 couldn’t improve on the 52 - 55 % of the total votes coming from the region in 2015. He went on to lose two states previously won in 2015 ( Ondo & Oyo ).
Atiku’s Pan Nigerian Status was reaffirmed with the 2019 General Elections. He was widely voted across the diversity of Nigeria as a Country. Muhammadu Buhari has won elections twice but has never managed to win elections outside Northern Nigeria and the South West ( The Political Kingdom of Asiwaju Tinubu ).
As it stands , No Politician vying for the highest office in the Nigerian Political Space has the widespread goodwill, might and resources to stand Atiku Abubakar in an election. You could suggest big names like Asiwaju Tinubu , Nasir El-Rufai , Rabiu Kwankwaso & many others. Much respect to them all, but in all honesty none of them can withstand Atiku Abubakar in a Presidential Election. As much as we love to downplay ethnic and religious factors during election calculations , it has nevertheless played vital roles in election results over the last 2 decades in the Nigerian Political Calculations. Asiwaju has struggled to brand himself from the South West Landlord most people see him as to a candidate with National Widespread and appeal , Nasir El-Rufai on the other hand is one of the finest breeds of his generation , but he is yet to acquire half the following or widespread of Atiku. Rabiu Kwankwaso is seen as another enigma from the North like Muhammadu Buhari , Nonetheless he doesn’t have the prowess to garner the majority of the votes against a seasoned experienced character like the Waziri of Adamawa not to talk of how difficult it’ll be for him to get barely anything outside Northern Nigeria.
Atiku has a date with destiny in 2023. It’ll be catastrophic for the PDP to field in any other candidate apart from the Waziri in the next general election if at all the party seeks to wrestle power from the incumbent APC at the general elections.
Atiku’s large political network of associates across board, large following across the geopolitical zones, his gradeur in business and economy building makes him an intimidating candidate against anyone seeking the highest office. 2023 is indeed Atiku’s date with destiny !