News
Atiku versus Obi: Is it a case of trust or smartness?
Watching Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday night while appearing on Prime Time, the public affairs programme on ARISE NEWS Television, gave me an inkling into the sentiments in the camp of Atiku Abubakar after it was handed over the remains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Arguably, the ambition of the Waziri Adamawa to get Nigeria’s number one job – the Presidency – seemed surer and faster than any other option riding on the shoulders of the two heavyweights. So, the gripe, whining and grumbling is understandable.
From the countenance of the former Minister, it could be gleaned how inconsolable the former Vice President could be at the moment. Despite spirited attempts to conceal it, the pain was obvious. I wonder the tough job it would be for those close to the ex-VP to try and placate him. If he remains implacable, there is ample reason for it.
Now, it would be clearly unthinkable to believe that Atiku would see Obi as naïve – too much so not to have his own plans in winning on the political chessboard in which the two of them have been playing these past months or so – but all the same the manner the former governor played his hand, must have hit him like a thunderbolt.
He probably didn’t envisage the option – at least not too quickly too soon. The former VP must have believed that Obi would continue pecking at the bait of some faint pictures being painted within the party that somehow, he might secure the ADC ticket by some sort of providence, based on a genie springing out of the magic lamp.
He probably wanted Obi to cling to that hope no matter how forlorn until he was completely encircled and it became too late for him to untangle himself, let alone exit. My thinking was that Atiku not only wanted to hand Obi a fait accompli, but put him in a situation where he would be thankful to secure the position of a running mate.
Now, don’t be deceived by the talk that the VP position was Obi’s for the asking. No! Forget about that. By the time he picks the ADC presidential ticket, by beating Obi through whatever method – direct primaries or consensus, both of which were already wrapped up by the people he planted to do the job – the hawks would move in.
All manner of arguments would crop up around Obi’s suitability. Spruced up with dollars likely to start exchanging hands, the PDP scenario of choosing Ifeanyi Okowa instead of Nyesom Wike would play out. By that time, Obi would have been completely at their mercy.
If Obi wanted the position, he would be made to beg for it. Even if he declined, the public would have been fed about how he begged for it desperately but was not given.
By that time the APC lynchpins would have moved in to complete the job. They would come after Obi like locusts on a green field so much that by the time they would be done, nothing would be left outside mere stalks where some lushness existed earlier. It would have sounded the final death-knell from where he would never rise again.
But what the Waziri Adamawa failed to figure out, perhaps, was that the Obi he was dealing with was of a different make. It is not everyday you sat with someone who drove three different cars he bought with his own money before graduating from the university, became a landlord to corporate bodies including banks, while some of his classmates had to skip meals to survive or became Chairman of a bank at 33, when some of his mates were still moving from one office to the other in search of jobs.
Yes! It takes more than mere white matters in the skull to be counted among the 10 richest men in England before hitting your 35th birthday, especially coming from Africa – becoming the first governor to recover a mandate stolen from you by political hawks and scavengers – the first to run a sitting governor out of office after just 17 days to recover yet another mandate.
How could Atiku have forgotten so soon that this selfsame Peter Obi practically, in 2023, used his bare hands to stop a moving train – someone who without a single councillor, vanquished whole armies, who launched massive blitzkrieg from all sides against him. Indeed, but for the Mahmoud Yakubu and his INEC’s technical glitches, would Obi not be in the Villa today?
This was the same Obi who completely quietened the massive tempest that put Anambra, not only locally, but on a global map for the wrong reasons and tamed the monsters that broke loose and destroyed everything along the way. This was the same man Atiku and his men believed they could outsmart by pulling a wool over his face.
Naturally, it takes a lot to cross the many rivers and distant wildernesses to get to where Obi is today. It takes more than average intelligence, it takes a lot of grits, it takes foresight, it takes focus and it takes, ultimately – the hand of God. In a corporate world, where Obi played at its peak, split-second decisions are what make the difference. So, much so in politics too!
Now, come to the real meat of the matter. Was Obi wrong in ditching Atiku for the NDC in the manner he did? No fair-minded person is likely to answer in the affirmative. For months on end, many people begged the former VP to let go the quest for the ADC ticket. They remonstrated, they begged, but he wouldn’t relent.
Now, he is turning in all corners and complaining to everyone in sight. He is blaming everyone but himself. Has Atiku asked himself what is different between what he did in PDP, where against the grain of zoning arrangement argument, he still threw his hat into the ring.
Just like in the PDP, he wants to emerge as presidential candidate with a David Mark, another man from the North as National Chairman – just as he was presidential candidate in 2023 with Iyiocha Ayu as Chairman.
Does the world belong to Atiku? Whichever way it goes in 2027, Peter Obi will step out on the morning after smelling roses. I can’t say same about Atiku.
My name is Sunny Igboanugo, I’m The Tiny Voice!
Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, on Friday, pushed back against reports quoting him as promising to retrieve tickets from winners of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in lieu of sitting senators, who failed at the party’s primaries recently.
He also spoke on the issue of the comprehensive probe called by Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State, now Senator representing Edo North at the National Assembly, clarifying his position on the matte, which has since raised a lot of dust within the polity.
The twin issues, dominated the outcome of proceedings on Thursday, on the day the Senators returned after going on recess to participate in the party primaries that took place across board in Nigeria in line with the electoral outlay of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, former Minister of the Niger Delta and now Chairman of the National Assembly, who conveyed his position through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, denied ever making such promise to his colleagues, as it went against the grain of democratic ethos, which he had vowed to uphold.
Regarding the probe of the military, Akpabio, in the statement, stressed the need not to distract the institution, but provide it with all the needed support, giving the parlous security situation in the country, its personnel had been battling relentless.
The statement read in full: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that the President of the Senate has promised to secure senatorial tickets for senators who lost their party primaries.
“We must categorically assert that this report does not reflect the position of the President of the Senate. For the record, Senator Akpabio has neither made nor authorised to be made such promise.
“What the President of the Senate actually said, in the course of interacting with his colleagues, was to empathise with senators who were affected by the outcome of their primary elections.
“He assured them that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), is actively working to address all issues arising from the primaries and that the final list of candidates will be released in due course in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
“Senator Akpabio remains committed to party discipline, due process, and the internal mechanisms of the APC for resolving disputes. He will not interfere with the autonomous processes of the party or make commitments that are outside the purview of the National Assembly leadership.
“The office also notes another report quoting a distinguished Senator on the need for the Senate to probe the military over recent security incidents. While legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio’s position is that this is not the opportune moment for a public probe of the Armed Forces.
“At a time when our troops are engaged on multiple fronts against terrorism, banditry and other threats to National Security, subjecting the military to a public legislative inquisition could undermine morale and operational focus.
“The Senate President believes strongly that support, collaboration and closed-door engagements with security agencies are more productive at this critical time. Oversight will be exercised responsibly, without creating distractions that embolden adversaries or divert attention from the urgent task of securing Nigeria.
“Senator Akpabio urges the media and the public to disregard sensational and inaccurate misrepresentation of his remarks and to always seek clarification from his office before publication.”
No candidate was imposed neither was any member barred from participating in the process, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said on Thursday, which defending the integrity of the exercise, which ended on May 29.
In a statement by Ikenna Enekweizu, National Secretary, party said that all aspirants were given a fair opportunity to participate in the democratic process, adding that the selection process was driven by consultation, consensus-building, and stakeholder engagement through established leadership structures across the country.
Stressing that its National Secretariat was never involved in the business of picking, choosing, or imposing candidates on any constituency or state, contrary to allegations that have emerged following the conclusion of the primaries, the statement added: “At no time has the NDC National Secretariat been involved in the business of picking, choosing, or imposing candidates on any constituency or state.
“Aspirants seeking elective positions were directed to engage with caucus leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots members in their respective states, who were responsible for consultations and recommendations based on local political realities. In the South-East geopolitical zone, our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined the party with an existing network of respected political leaders and elder statesmen who currently serve as caucus heads across the region.
“These include former governors and senior political figures such as Sam Egwu, Okwesilieze Nwodo, and Achike Udenwa, among others. The party explained that these leaders were tasked with conducting stakeholder consultations and helping build consensus around aspirants in their respective states.
“These leaders were entrusted with conducting stakeholder consultations, building consensus, and making recommendations to the party based on their understanding of the peculiar political dynamics in their respective states.
“Aspirants who disagreed with stakeholder recommendations were not excluded from the process but were allowed to test their popularity through grassroots primaries. This process was conducted without prejudice to the rights of any aspirant. Where aspirants disagreed with recommendations made by stakeholders or caucus leaders, they were free to test their popularity through the democratic process at the grassroots level, and this was duly accommodated,” the party said.
Addressing concerns raised by some aspirants following the primaries, the NDC acknowledged reports of individuals prematurely declaring themselves candidates as well as complaints regarding aspects of the process.
However, it maintained that such issues had been referred to the party’s appeal panel and leadership for resolution.
The statement also highlighted the party’s commitment to affirmative action and greater female participation in politics, noting that efforts had been made to encourage women to seek elective offices while also considering the interests of serving lawmakers.
Looking ahead, the NDC announced plans to begin a broad reconciliation process aimed at healing divisions and strengthening party unity after the conclusion of the primaries.
“As resolved at yesterday’s NEC meeting, we now look forward to the commencement of a comprehensive reconciliation process. We count on our esteemed caucus leaders, state chairmen, stakeholders, and party leaders to engage all aspirants and members in the interest of unity, cohesion, and the continued growth of our party.”
The party reiterated that its role throughout the nomination process was primarily to welcome new members and aspirants, reassure them of its commitment to fairness and transparency, and direct them to the appropriate caucus structures for participation in party affairs.
According to the NDC, the approach reflects its commitment to internal democracy, consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for established leadership structures as it continues preparations for future elections.
Idi Abbas, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), on Friday, prayed for a legislation to establish a special court to try those caught in the business of stealing crude oil in Nigeria, saying the current general law was not too helpful in stemming the tide.
It was also a day he claimed that the powerful forces behind the syndicate had a way of projecting fronts while remaining behind the scene, which made it almost impossible to track them to face justice.
In fact, Abbas, a Vice Admiral, revealed that the operation was so perfect that those arrested at illegal refining sites were usually low-level operatives with little knowledge of the larger criminal network.
A guest on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television, the Naval Chief noted that many of those apprehended during operations are merely workers paid small sums, adding that such a complex structure of oil theft syndicates made it difficult to identify and prosecute the individuals who orchestrate the criminal enterprise.
“Most of the faces behind these thefts are not really known or are not the ones we always catch. The ones we get at most of the illegal refinery sites are just being given some paltry sum, while the big masquerades are the ones that make the real money. Prosecuting suspects is often complicated by the fact that many of those arrested have little or no information about the people directing the operations.
“In trying to prosecute some of these people that we get, some of them don’t even know who they are working for. So, the network is a very delicate one.
“But despite the challenges the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies are continually refining their strategies to counter the evolving tactics of oil thieves. As they are evolving strategies, we are also evolving new strategies. Like I keep saying, technology is the way forward. With that, we have been able to reduce the level of theft.”
Stating that the adoption of technology-driven surveillance, intelligence gathering and monitoring systems had significantly enhanced efforts to curb crude oil theft and protect critical national assets, he reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to sustaining operations against oil theft, stressing that collaboration among security agencies, stakeholders and host communities remains essential to safeguarding the nation’s oil resources.
The naval boss while assuring that Nigeria’s coastal and riverine communities are relatively safe, said the Nigerian Navy had made significant progress in reducing threats along the coast, particularly illegal oil-related activities and sea robbery.
“As it stands today, I can say that our coastal areas and the riverine areas are relatively safe. While crude oil theft and isolated cases of sea robbery remain areas of concern, the Navy has been largely successful in containing such activities through intensified surveillance and enforcement operations.
Hear him: “What we are contending with mostly there is the issue of crude oil theft and some pockets of sea robbery, which we are able to curtail. There is need for the establishment of a special court dedicated to prosecuting maritime crimes.
“This court will focus exclusively on cases involving crude oil theft and other maritime-related offences, helping to address delays associated with the conventional judicial process. The establishment of such a court would significantly accelerate the dispensation of justice and reduce the burden currently placed on the Navy in maintaining seized vessels and other exhibits pending the conclusion of lengthy court processes.
“If we have that in place, I believe the dispensation of justice will be done much faster and then ease the burden of keeping and maintaining some of the arrested vessels, which will be taken off from us because we spend a lot to maintain those vessels under our custody.”
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