Atiku at 70 and the long walk to 2019

On Friday November 25, 2016, former vice president Atiku Abubakar turns 70 years old. Atiku means different things to his critics and supporters. As expected, Atiku has started a very difficult and long journey to 2019 – he has commenced underground campaign for his quest to be president come 2019. Atiku’s opponents are always quick […]

Atiku at 70 and the long walk to 2019
Atiku at 70 and the long walk to 2019

On Friday November 25, 2016, former vice president Atiku Abubakar turns 70 years old. Atiku means different things to his critics and supporters.
As expected, Atiku has started a very difficult and long journey to 2019 – he has commenced underground campaign for his quest to be president come 2019. Atiku’s opponents are always quick to describe him as opportunistic and a desperate serial presidential contestant.
They often argue that his core reason for venturing into politics is like that of a typical Nigerian politician – the quest for power and self-enrichment. His supporters however believe Atiku is not defined by mere politics, rather his style of doing it. Atiku is politically adventurous and his strategies in politics are always audacious – they surpass those often employed by ordinary Nigerian politicians.
Atiku has always been accused of being corrupt, but no one has ever proven or provided evidence to support the accusation. One may say; Atiku is simply a victim of his love for philanthropy and he has also been fortunate in investments he ventured in.
Students of politics admire Atiku’s style of politics – the man loves political adventures, often not well-thought ones, especially when it comes to the politics of the contest for the presidency of Nigeria. Atiku has fought many tough political battles; the most daring being the one against his former boss – Olusegun Obasanjo. He was labeled a disloyal vice president.
Over the years, Atiku has been the most visible politician, especially in the politics of Nigeria’s presidency. Many observers are of the opinion that Atiku has shown his desperation by  commencing  campaign for the presidency at this time and also being a member of the ruling APC which has the sitting president. 
Atiku’s numerous political decisions were subtle and sound, but not without flaws, especially regarding his presidential ambition. Of recent, Atiku appears to be in rush and reads his ‘political map’ up-side-down.
With the current scenario, age will not be against Atiku, but party platform to contest on and the directions of President Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the opposition PDP. Whether Buhari will go for second term or not, nobody knows, but whatever happens, Buhari and Tinubu will decide who gets APC presidential ticket. Apart from President Buhari, Tinubu is the only individual now in Nigeria that has some governors with solid control of the southwest. President Buhari has everything in the APC. The Northwest and Northeast will not be an easy spot for Atiku. Northwest will definitely go for what Buhari goes for while the northeast, Atiku’s constituency, does not have a common course.
Atiku’s biggest political error is, instead of him to quietly reintegration himself firmly in the APC, he is busy over- blowing his trumpet. The likes of vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, are some strong presidential materials in the APC that will give Atiku nightmares, and if Buhari decides to contest, the game is over for Atiku.
Atiku’s unique style of politics may have favoured him; but he is gradually losing his rightful place in the political arena as he is not well-grounded in APC; he may not make strong impact in the North-East. Therefore, Atiku’s greatest obstacle to his presidential ambition will still be on how to get a strong party platform to contest on.
Love him or hate him, Atiku has immense war chest that easily scares off his opponents, including a vast political network and connections, but he has started a very difficult and long journey to 2019. There are many odds against him, compared to those in his favour, taking into consideration the present realities in the polity. Nevertheless, as he clocks 70, it appears that he would surely put in a strong fight for presidency. After all, politics has become Atiku’s number one hobby.
Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State, [email protected]