Atiku Abubakar’s political journey will go down in historical past as that of a person who mastered the artwork of profitable occasion primaries, but by no means succeeded in clinching the final word prize “the presidency”.
His repeated victories within the PDP presidential primaries are simply defined: it’s a managed setting, restricted in scope, the place affect, patronage, and the strategic use of cash can form outcomes. However the basic election is a special battlefield that lies past his attain, for the bizarre Nigerian, whose vote he can’t purchase, sees no future below his management. His political philosophy has all the time leaned towards elite capitalism, providing little to nothing for the widespread man.
Atiku is politically a person staggering towards irrelevance, and he is aware of it. Even the governor of his personal state, a PDP member, has distanced himself from him and all indications recommend that it received’t be lengthy earlier than he follows the trail of his Delta State counterpart and defects to the APC.
This current go to to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna was telling. Apart from Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, there was no politically related determine accompanying him. And Tambuwal’s loyalty isn’t any secret, it’s tied extra to Sokoto’s native political arithmetic than any nationwide conviction. He’s seemingly hedging his bets in case the PDP, in a remaining act of desperation, ditches Atiku and anoints him as a substitute. In any case, the occasion’s management has all however admitted that Atiku has failed and can’t ship. And let’s not overlook, Tambuwal has a historical past. Everybody remembers how Asiwaju Bola Tinubu helped him rise to turn into Speaker of the Home of Representatives, just for him to show round and combat him. So think about what he’ll do to somebody like Atiku, who by no means lifted a finger to assist him.
Let’s take a second to have a look at Atiku’s political predicament. It is a man who has repeatedly fought the identical PDP he now claims loyalty to. He has, repeatedly, aligned himself with its adversaries when his ambitions weren’t met, solely to crawl again as soon as he’s shut out elsewhere. He has carried out this not as soon as, however twice. Atiku has by no means nurtured any political determine with the imaginative and prescient of constructing Nigeria’s future, it has all the time been about him, and him alone. That is the stark distinction between him and President Bola Tinubu.
In the course of the 2015 merger that gave delivery to the APC, Atiku defected from the PDP just because he realized he wouldn’t get the presidential ticket. He aligned himself with the opposition, hoping to be topped flagbearer, however misplaced to Buhari. And as soon as defeated, he returned to the PDP, the place he finally misplaced even the few political strongholds he as soon as had together with his operating mates.
Immediately, Atiku is a person remoted. Even key figures who helped form the PDP like Gen. Aliyu Gusau, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and Sule Lamido have distanced themselves from his determined overtures. His rumored coalition with the likes of El-Rufai has been extensively rejected. These leaders have made it clear that such an alliance wouldn’t be about Nigeria’s progress, however purely a egocentric association tailor-made to revive Atiku’s fading ambition.
And even El-Rufai, who has now turn into the loudest whistle within the room, lacks the help of any important political determine from his dwelling state of Kaduna. This so-called coalition is nothing however a gathering of political has-beens and disgruntled losers who see energy not as a method to serve the individuals, however as a possibility to reclaim misplaced status.
Many profession politicians trapped in indecision and outdated loyalties who as soon as surrounded Atiku have since deserted the sinking ship. Even his 2023 operating mate is nowhere close to his nook, he not too long ago joined the APC. These he as soon as counted on to rally behind him in trade for money have quietly distanced themselves. The few who stay are usually not pushed by ideology or patriotism, however by hope, hope that one other election cycle may convey private achieve. These are those tirelessly peddling propaganda, mixing lies with half-truths, and defending Atiku whereas attacking the current administration with outdated narratives.
Immediately, you’ll wrestle to search out any severe political determine, those whose legacy is rooted in real patriotism and a need to see Nigeria thrive standing by Atiku. As I’ve stated earlier than, the tip of Atiku’s political enterprise is now not a prediction, it’s a actuality. If he chooses to stay within the PDP, repeated failure awaits him. And may he proceed with this determined coalition with El-Rufai and the remaining, the lots will solely additional reject him. That type of alliance exposes the whole lot: a gaggle of males who by no means cared for the Nigerian individuals and who, at greatest, solely care about returning to relevance via any means essential.
The persons are watching. Historical past will report that Atiku’s political fall was not brought on by his opponents however by his personal insatiable ambition and refusal to serve any curiosity however his personal.
Mr Samba writes from Abuja
