To Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress, the quitting of Atiku Abubakar from the party is not like that of the biblical Jonah whose exit from a boat put paid to a turbulent water and ensured free voyage of the boat and the passengers on board. The former Vice President’s return to the Peoples Democratic Party in a way may be likened to that of the biblical prodigal son who after squandering his fortune in a city returned to the warm embrace of his father, who rolled out red carpet, roll out drums, invited guests and made feast for him. Put succinctly, Atiku’s dumping of APC for PDP is a minus of no mean meaning for APC and a plus of no paltry profits for the PDP.
Atiku was the highest after President Muhammadu Buhari in terms of political leadership profile. Having deputized President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, he remains the longest serving Vice President ever in Nigeria’s history. Apart from his successful joint ticket with Obasanjo, he had slugged out with incumbent President Buhari and immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan. He is a business mogul and unlike a number of other politicians, he proudly own up to his stupendous wealth. He has followers across the country and his political structures abound everywhere.
Owing to harmonious relationship he had with Obasanjo in the first four yours of their tenure coupled with his innovative contribution, a factor that facilitated his awesome political influence, Atiku was dubbed “Executive Vice President” by those who are not poor in presumptuous appellation. His strides had no scant strands to successes recorded in the Obasanjo administration. A number of high flyers in the government, some of whom formed the economic think tank of the administration, were actually recommended by Atiku. From the sterling performances of those he brought into the administration, it could be deduced that his selfish interest was a molecule in his ocean of altruism and patriotism.
Undoubtedly, Atiku has a baggage that could bug down his presidential bid. Both the informed and uninformed cheaply labeled him a corrupt politician. The Atiku-is-corrupt syndrome emanated from, and when, his relationship with Obasanjo hit the rock. However, more than 10 years after his Vice Presidency tenure and the expiration of his constitutional immunity from prosecution, no case of corruption has been established against him in any law court. Recently, he challenged anyone who has any case against him to come up immediately or shut up forever. Actually, in view of Nigeria’s legal system, it is on Atiku’s accusers to substantiate their claims.
Obviously, the belief in certain quarters is that charges of corruption on Atiku in the court of public opinion, and none in law courts, have more to do with political prosecution than anything else. Also, owing to entrenched corruption in the country it is a dubious testimony for Nigeria and Nigerians that allegation of corruption could be cheaply leveled against anyone, as both the corrupt and the incorruptible have had, as a collective brunt, to carry the toga of corruption.
As Atiku is embarking on another trip to the topmost post in Nigeria’s political kingdom, more mudslinging may be muddled his way even as his business empires are allegedly facing threats from Abuja. Though prosecution on offences bordering on crimes has no time-barred, if the Buhari administration comes up with any case of corruption against the Turaki Adamawa it would raise moral questions in millions and at multinational spheres.
As things stand today in Nigeria, the opposition needs to come up with candidates that squarely possess qualities that will offer the electorate alternatives in the likely event of Buhari recontesting in 2019. More than ever, Nigeria needs a Nigerian President and not a Northern Nigeria or Southern Nigeria President; whether the person is religiously affiliated with Traditional religion or Christianity or Islam or Atheism, Nigeria needs a humanist and not a religious fanatic; a leader that will not dissipate energy in blaming the woes of the country on the dark past that everyone is aware of; a president that will put food on the citizens’ table without overdose of bitter pills to swallow; a leader that does not share in the fake assumption that Nigeria’s fragile federation is not negotiable – an idealistic leader who is ready to apply practical panacea to fortifying the frontiers of Nigeria as a true Federal Republic of Nigeria.
One sin Atiku has committed to the notice of all and which he cannot afford not to plead for forgiveness revolves around his circumbendibus – frequent moving in and out of PDP, a party he contributed immensely to forming and which offered him a platform to serve as Vice President of the most populous black nation in the world. It is ironic that Abubakar is returning as a prodigal son to a party he remains one of the founding fathers, a party he helped to form and fund. Notwithstanding glaring undemocratic factors that forced him out of the party, Abubakar, should humbly plead guilty and ask for clemency just as the PDP needs not receive him with comeuppance on account of his circumbendibus. The story of the prodigal son is a parable told by Jesus Christ to illustrate joy in heaven whenever a sinner repents.
Having realised the futility of his political sojourn, the PDP, which, in this case, is the father of the prodigal son, should not only organize Atiku’s welcome-back package with roping him with white linen and lavish banquet but should follow up by according him his rights and previledges in order to make him dump prodigality for good, after all Atiku has since realised that his mission outside PDP was a mirage, and there is nothing nostalgic about his prodigal adventure.
Atiku’s return to PDP is prodigal and prodigious. It is one reentry so many, and one loss too many for APC. It is shaking APC and will shape PDP provided PDP will maximally explore the development.
. Ekanem, a journalist, sent this article from Lagos through nsikak4media@gmail.com.