Re-Buhari and Atiku should drop their presidential ambition

Having read through your interview with the said Alhaji Hassan Maimadara, one can immediately see, without further probing, some obvious issues that motivate Alhaji Maimadara’s points of view, which among other things include: poor conception of the subject-matter, befuddled partisanship and roving conjectures. Alhaji Maimadara in the interview submitted that in view of his “glowing […]

Having read through your interview with the said Alhaji Hassan Maimadara, one can immediately see, without further probing, some obvious issues that motivate Alhaji Maimadara’s points of view, which among other things include: poor conception of the subject-matter, befuddled partisanship and roving conjectures.

Alhaji Maimadara in the interview submitted that in view of his “glowing credentials” over a period of eight years, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State has outdone all comers for the presidential race of 2011 elections. He further submitted that in view of these credentials that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will certainly be outdone by Shekarau and need not bother to contest for the 2011 presidential elections. He also stated that Shekarau represents change while Atiku offers little in that regard.

With due respect, Alhaji Hassan Maimadara’s views, expressed in the said publication, were conceived on fallacies and delivered on the shifting sands of personalized partisan opinion.

I shall render reasons for my view that Alhaji Maimadara’s position, as submitted in the publication, is a personal opinion (and therefore not worth a second thought); as it is not based on any empirical findings.

Firstly, this group, known as Exemplary Leadership, is an obscure one; it is not known who constitutes it, and how widespread within Nigeria its followership or its membership is. In fact, going by its very name, it is a doubt whether it does exist, or is recognized in law or fact. If it is an NGO registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), certainly its very name raises huge questions, as the CAC will not register such a name under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. In all likelihood, this organization only exists in the protagonist’s mind.

The zenith of Shekarau’s political ascent is that of a governor. He has not even proven himself as being among the top five governors in Nigeria. So, wherewith has Alhaji Hassan Maimadara adorned Shekarau with such borrowed robes at the expense of more tested hands like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar? Is it his own convinced opinion or is it one acquired by inducement or prospect of same. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had been a vice president of Nigeria, presidential flag-bearer and a party juggernaut and cannot be compared with a governor. Nothing in the political domain says that Shekarau and Atiku cannot individually pursue their political ambitions on parallel political lines. But to surmise that since Shekarau is contesting, Atiku should drop his ambitions is downright preposterous. In fact, it is more reasonable and logical to submit to the contrary.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s political ambition for 2011 Presidential Elections represents not only change but development.

In conclusion, Atiku remain a foremost Northern candidate for the 2011 elections. His experience and extended world view stands him in very good stead.

Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar El-Minskin, 6,Adisa Estate,Durumi,Abuja.