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!
Battle-weary Siminalayi Fubara, has finally thrown in the towel in the three-plus-years political war with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), linking his decision on the need for peace in the state rather than fear.
Harangued, harassed, lacerated and buffeted, since few days after inauguration as governor, including a six-month state of emergency slammed on the state by President Bola Tinubu, things eventually came to a head for Fubara, with a plot to bar him from contesting re-election in 2027, by another coordinated onslaught from his party – the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a series of developments, which started emerging from the process towards choosing candidates for the polls, all APC members with a link to the governor, were disqualified from seeking their individual tickets by the APC screening committees set up for that purpose, while the hammer of rejection also continued to dangle on Fubara himself before his final decision to quit the race.
In a statement he signed on Wednesday night, he said: “As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose.”
The full statement read: “After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose. It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.
“I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.
“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state Gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term.”
Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, virtually poured cold water on the burning issue of Goodluck Jonathan, for Nigerian President making a bid for the office he lost in 2915 to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, through the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi, who is also making another bid for the same office for the second time, told reporters on Tuesday, shortly getting a letter of clearance from the Nigerian Democratic Congress though he was not aware that the former President was contesting, he was in no position to obstruct the move as political choices were the rights of individuals to make.
Against the revelation by Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State, who spoke on behalf of Nemadi Sambo, Jonathan’s Vice President and currently in charge of the presidential screening of the Peoples Democratic Party, Obi told the reporters at the NDC National Secretariat in Abuja: “Actually, I’m not aware of that. But democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for.
“I’m not in any way going around looking for who and who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria.”
But he was quick to marshal out his plans for the country, declaring that under his presidency, Nigerians would be freed from daily lamentations coming from the parlous situation the present government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Bola Tinubu had plunged the country.
Hear him: “This I will do by first uniting the country because it’s not a united country. We have to govern the country by the Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates federal character and inclusivity. The country must be united. The country must be secure.
“We want to see mothers no longer fear when their children go to school or work. We also want a country where we can travel all over Nigeria without fear. So many Nigerians today go to bed not knowing where the next meal will come from tomorrow. That must change.
“We must live in a country where people do not turn public assets and public wealth into private assets. So we must fight corruption to a standstill and make it work for everybody. Politicians are preoccupied with the next election when Nigerians are dying. That must stop.”
He also took time to explain the reason for the two-hour stretch of drilling during the screening. Saying: “This is democracy in action because NDC chooses to do things properly. So when we say this is going to be screening, it has to be done right.
“Nigerians want to know whether you meet the stipulated constitutional qualification and provide relevant documents to back them.
“This is the way to know whether everything you have said or declared is the truth and if you can answer questions posed about your commitment to building a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria. That’s why the screening took over two hours.”
Regarding his status as a sole candidate, Obi, who was accompanied by Victor Umeh, a long time ally and Senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, said: “I don’t know who else has bought. So until the party says I’m the only one who expressed interest, that’s it.”
Only an official pronouncement by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), seems to be last barrier to cross for Peter Obi to appear on the ballot for the January 7, 2027 presidential, the second time he would be chasing the nation’s number one job.
That hurdle is also set to be cleared in no time, all things being equal, given the speed with which the party is taking to ensure that all the loose ends are tied in order to meet the deadline of the Independent National Electoral Commission for all parties to conclude their selection processes for all the candidates for next years general elections.
Against the backdrop of initial date of May 29 scheduled for the presidential primaries, Sam Egwu, Chairman of the screening committee for the presidential election, said on Tuesday night that the exercise would take place on a date to be announced.
He spoke on a day he handed Obi, the only candidate that bought form for the high office a clean bill of health to contest the election after a two-hour drill at the party secretariat in Abuja, on Tuesday night.
Egwu former Governor of Ebonyi State announced Obi’s clearance as the party’s sole presidential aspirant ahead of its forthcoming primaries, about two hours after the arrival of the former Governor of Anambra State, who would be running for the presidential office for a second time after the bid in 2023, where he was declared to have come third by the INEC, in a heavily-disputed outcome, in which his supporters claimed he clearly won.
Obi had arrived at the party secretariat at about 6:45pm on Tuesday, accompanied by Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central and immediately went into business, where he was drilled on his qualifications and intentions and other nuances of governance.
Egwu, who announced that the panel was satisfied with his performance, as he answered all questions correctly, told reporters who besieged the venue: “This is to certify that following the screening of the presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency Peter Obi, and being satisfied that he has complied with all the requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all provisions of the Electoral Act, and the satisfactory answers given by him to all the questions from members of the national screening committee.
“He is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party for the 2027 presidential election on a date to be announced by the party. Congratulations.”
He then presented an official clearance letter to Obi with the party’s official nomination form numbered 001.
Obi picked NDC presidential nomination and expression of interest forms on Sunday, May 17, the initial deadline set by the party for the collection of forms by all categories of aspirants.
On Monday, the party extended the deadline to May 24 to enable more aspirants pick forms, noting that the return of completed nomination forms for all screened and cleared aspirants would commence on Wednesday, May 20 and close on May 26.
However, the party did not extend the deadline for the collection of presidential nomination forms, noting that it had already closed.
-
News3 weeks agoBREAKING: Makinde, Turaki, lose! *S’Court affirms Wike’s PDP leadership
-
News1 week agoTinubu to African leaders: Copy Nigeria, produce your way out of poverty
-
Features3 weeks agoJim Nwobodo: The Sun shines, thrills, at ‘The Vanguard Awards’
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: US-Nigeria troops slaughter 175 ISWAP fighters
-
News1 week agoWhy we pegged presidential ticket forms at N60million – NDC
-
News2 weeks agoBREAKING! Coast brightens for Obi, as NDC zones presidency to South
-
News1 week agoGowon on civil war: My book is to put records straight, remove falsehood
-
News3 weeks agoBREAKING: Succour for ADC! S’Court restores Mark’s leadership!