Africa
A Vote For A Coalition Against Bad Governance And Inept Leadership (7) -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
Atiku fought the military for the return of Democratic rule in 1999. His Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) was one of the legacy parties that formed the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the party that eventually emerged as the ruling party upon return to civil in 1999. What Atiku lost in the SDP, he gained in the PDP as he emerged the vice-president of Nigeria, the position he held till 2007. While Atiku served as the vice-president, he made his marks. Most of the landmark achievement recorded during the period had Atiku’s imprint.
To continue, I have to do a recap of what I have emphasized in this series so far. First, I have to state without equivocation that the All Progressives Congress (APC) regime under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has neither the capacity nor the willingness to lead Nigeria to its desired destination. This view is predicated on the number of anomalies that have taken place since the inauguration of this regime. The government is indulging in profligacy and borrowing spree while the economy in sinking deeper and deeper into the mire. As unemployment and poverty is spreading like wide fire, the government is deceiving the people reeling out fake statistics about economic growth and phantom reforms that are destroying the economy. And instead of finding ways to improve the welfare of the embattled citizens, the government is increasing their burdens through a dubious tax reform that is intended to further pauperize the people.
And politically, this government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the worst exclusionist and nepotistic policy in the history of Nigeria. It is also a revanchist administration as somebody has noted elsewhere, for while he gave 80% of key appointments to his tribesmen, he spent time openly and subtly punishing his perceived political enemies. So under this regime, the country is factionalized as never before. Otherwise, how can a president that spends tax-payers’ money globetrotting ostensibly in search of foreign investors close his eyes and watch domestic investment being destroyed in Lagos for no reasons. The government of Tinubu has not in any way been able to address any of the nation’s domestic challenges rather it has created more problem through its visionless and divisive anti-peoples’ policies. That is why as Nigerians marked the 65th Independent day anniversary two days ago, they made it clear to Tinubu that there is nothing to celebrate under his regime that has made insecurity and poverty as tools of governance; that has weakened state institutions and turned them instruments of oppression and suppression.
Secondly, I have stated that, to unseat the inept APC regime, Nigerians have to bury their differences: tribe, religion and political affiliations and unite against a common foe. And thus, the coming of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a coalition of opposition political forces is a step in the right direction. I also, highlighted what the new political forum has to do in order to be able to carry out the onerous task of sacking the Apartheid APC regime. They have to be united, focused and mobilize the dispirited Nigerian masses. They have to avoid distraction mostly from infiltrators sponsored by the APC. They have to be courageous in order to be able to fend off intimidation and harassment that may from the Tinubu-led government. They have to develop a winning strategy and select a credible candidate to fly the party’s flag during the 2027 presidential election.
In the third place, it was my considered opinion that fielding a popular candidate is a sure way of winning the election. The current Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu is very unpopular on account of his woeful performance and inept leadership. And Nigerian people are not ready to pledge their future into his hands again (even though, it was obvious that Nigerians never voted for him before). It is obvious judging from his manipulative moves that he is planning to rig the next election in order to remain in power. And so to stop him, the coalition of political figures under the aegis of the ADC must field a credible candidate, one with, courage, charisma, clout and pedigree in order to be able to sensitize, mobilize and inspire Nigerians to not just to vote but defend their votes and frustrate the APC rigging plans.
And undoubtedly, the person with this kind of record and experience and reach is no other person than His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON, the former vice-president (1999-2007) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Atiku who is also the Wazirin of Adamawa is a seasoned politician, a statesman and a patriot whose contributions to the growth of Democracy in Nigeria are unequalled by anybody among the current crop of politicians in the country.
When Atiku left the public service in the late eighties, he made his dramatic entry into partisan politics and had his tutelage under the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. He was a foundation member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). In the build-up to the controversial June 12, 1993 presidential election, he made the sacrifice of stepping down for MKO Abiola. And even when Abiola betrayed him by not picking him as his running mate as earlier agreed before the primaries, he still did not bother. He was among the team of political figures that fought assiduously for the revalidation of the annulled June 12 election, escaping assassination attempt in the process and eventually seeking refuge in exile.
Atiku fought the military for the return of Democratic rule in 1999. His Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) was one of the legacy parties that formed the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the party that eventually emerged as the ruling party upon return to civil in 1999. What Atiku lost in the SDP, he gained in the PDP as he emerged the vice-president of Nigeria, the position he held till 2007. While Atiku served as the vice-president, he made his marks. Most of the landmark achievement recorded during the period had Atiku’s imprint. He is regarded as the best person to have ever occupied that position in the history of this country. By his conduct and courage, he made it known to everybody that he knew his job description. He knew that he was jointly elected by the president and just like the president his loyalty is to the people and the constitution and not the president. He was bold, selfless and responsible. That was why resisted the plot by President Olusegun Obasanjo to extend their tenure beyond the two terms stipulated in the constitution.
Without doubt, Nigeria needs a person with Atiku’s profile who has made enormous sacrifices for the survival of democracy in our country.
To be continued.
Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK
