Obi, backed fully by Atiku as sole opposition Presidential candidate will rebrand politics and create a new Dawn. It is not honourable for a Northerner to succeed Tinubu under our unwritten agreement of rotation. That was what worked against Jonathan in 2015.
By Emeka Obasi
Leadership moves through a familiar route in Nigeria’s power play, throwing up opportunities for people to climb to the top with total support from men who understand the game. All eyes are on Wazirin Abubakar Atiku to wear this Kingmaker toga as the 2027 presidential election draws nearer.
All through the Fourth Republic Atiku has remained constantly relevant since President Olusegun Obasanjo picked him as Vice President in 1999. It takes man of substance to be part of discussions whether as a member of the ruling party or in the opposition camp.
The road to 2027 is rough and tough. President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has done nearly four years and wants to keep going. Unfortunately, the promised paradise has completely disappeared, leaving the polity boiling in hunger and total confusion. The World Bank and other multinational agencies may be promising hope, what confronts compatriots is hopelessness.
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President Bola Tinubu has two daring challengers. Atiku is flying the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Peter Obi represents something new, with his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The road to Aso Villa in 2027 will be full of bumps. There is danger ahead, given the propaganda bandied about by people who do not want to be kind to the president with a true situation report.
This is an opportunity for Atiku to write his name in gold by pushing aside another presidential ambition and unite the opposition under the presidential mandate of Obi. The two worked together in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as flag nearer and running mate.
We all know the power of Sir Ahmadu Bello in the First Republic. After the 1959 Federal elections which was won by the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), the Premier of Northern Region who was president of the party chose to remain that way while elevating his deputy. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa continued as Prime Minister in Lagos.
Atiku is rich, powerful and admired up North. I see him as the 21st Century Ahmadu Bello, a man whose gates are always open to Northerners. He should take a second look at the Sardauna’s background. The grandfather of the premier of the North was known as Atiku na Raba.
Obi, backed fully by Atiku as sole opposition Presidential candidate will rebrand politics and create a new Dawn. It is not honourable for a Northerner to succeed Tinubu under our unwritten agreement of rotation. That was what worked against Jonathan in 2015.
The only Nigerian leader who did not rely on a Kingmaker to ascend the throne is Tinubu. The result is not good news. Yakubu Gowon was enthroned in 1966 by Murtala Mohammed, Theophilus Danjuma and Martin Adamu. In 1975, Murtala was in London when Abdullahi Mohammed, Anthony Ochefu, Joe Garba, Alfred Aduloju and Shehu Yar’adua sacked Gowon.
President Shehu Shagari was humble. He planned to be a senator but ended up at the top. Muhammadu Buhari was in Jos when the Beret Boys offered him Dodan Barracks in the last day of December 1983. Ibrahim Babangida, was not really in charge. He owed his stay in power to younger elements who twisted his arm into annulling the June 12, 1993 election.
Babangida paved the way for Sani Abacha and Abacha’s death meant that Abdusalami Abubakar was allowed by the military hierarchy to become Head of State. Abubakar and Babangida fetched Obasanjo from prison, to the presidency.
The same Obasanjo, chose Umar Yar’adua over and above Peter Odili and gave him a younger deputy in Goodluck Jonathan. When Buhari came again in 2015, it was simply because Tinubu flew to Daura to wipe his tears of many previous presidential misses.
Atiku also should read Alex Ekwueme like a book. Both men were Vice President. Beyond politics, Ekwueme was to be crowned Igwe of Oko. He preferred his younger brother, Prof. Laz Ekwueme. That gesture did not diminish the former Vice President’s status before his kinsmen.
Obi has a seasoned politician, Rabiu Kwankwaso as Running Mate. The duo collaborating with Atiku will give the ruling party sleepless nights. A kingmaker deserves his wages. Atiku has locked down the North – East. Obi will do the same in the South – East. Kwankwaso stands for Kano. The only place that APC can challenge the NDC/ ADC combo with success is the South – West.
Nigeria needs Fourth Republic Heroes. Sacrifice moves mountains. Atiku will be carried shoulder high by aligning with Peter Obi. Atiku as the rallying point of those stopped Tinubu will earn him nationwide respect. Obi is a good choice. Atiku’s endorsement is all we need to sing ‘ enye ndi ebea, enye ndi ebea.’
Emeka Obasi, a journalist, writes from Lagos
