For over three decades, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s name has appeared prominently in the Nigerian political lexicon and one cannot deny the fact that he has contributed a great deal in shaping the Nigerian democracy. From the aborted third republic down to the recently conducted 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku has played one role or the other in Nigerian politics, with varying results. However, it is now time for him to take a bow from politics and serve as a mentor for the younger generation of politicians.
Keen observers of political issues in Nigeria will attest to the fact that the year 2023 was Alhaji Abubakar’s best shot at the Nigerian Presidency. He had everything working in his favour. However, a combination of arrogance, inadequate human relationships, inability to manage the opposition, and several other lesser-known factors contributed to his defeat in the polls.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was directly responsible for the division in the opposition that saw President Tinubu emerging with the slimmest victory margin in Nigeria’s recent democratic elections. He failed to support Peter or prevail on him to remain in the PDP, he failed to prevail on Kwankwanso to remain in the PDP, he picked unnecessary fights with the G5 PDP governors and invariably lost in woefully in areas that were hitherto traditional PDP bases.
Had the G5, Alhaji kwankanso, Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku worked under one platform in the 2023 presidential election, we would have had a different president today. Sadly, that ship has sailed. It is for the aforementioned reasons that Alhaji Abubakar must drop his intention to run in the 2027 presidential elections. He is not the only politician in Nigeria. He must give way to the younger generation of politicians. Alhaji Abubakar should leave behind a legacy of uniting the opposition and pushing for a younger politician to be president of Nigeria. He should assume the role of Moses and let history be the judge. The opposition must also find a way to work together to present a united front in 2027 through a younger candidate.
I hope that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will heed this call and leave his political legacy unblemished.
