A Vote For A Coalition Against Bad Governance And Inept Leadership (8) -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

I am encouraged by the mails, the comments and the criticisms I received and more especially by the activities and doggedness of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON, to continue on this series. Atiku, more than anyone else in the history of this country has proved to be a fighter and defender of the truth. Consistently and at the risk of his personal freedom, he has fought on the side of truth and justice, making huge sacrifices for the peace and unity of our country. And undoubtedly, that has earned him support from the lovers of truth and justice. Among the present crop of political gladiators in the country at present, Atiku is unarguably the most liberal and detribalized. Since the colonial era to the time of Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe, there has not been anyone like Atiku in terms of patriotism, statesmanship and pan-Nigerianism. At all times, Atiku has always put Nigeria and the people first before self. This is admirable and commendable!

I am one of the numerous admirers of the erstwhile vice-president of the country (1999-2007): a man that has a liberal political philosophy; the type that is suitable for a multicultural environment like Nigeria. Atiku’s sense of patriotism is exemplary. This is the reason despite attempts in some quarters to malign his personality, he still towers high above his traducers.

You can accuse Atiku, of anything but you cannot question his patriotic zeal and his commitment for the cause of justice and democracy in Nigeria. In private life and in public service, the Wazirin of Adamawa has always espoused and exemplified patriotism, justice and equity. Those who worked with him during his heyday in the Custom Service can attest to the fact that he was always on the path of upholding the service ethics and his mandate. The case of the 52 suit cases imported illegally into the country in 1984 when Atiku was the comptroller of Customs at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport is a clear case of how the young Atiku, then 37 years old, fearlessly fought against corruption and illegality, defying the powers from above at the risk of his life and career.

Again, Atiku Abubakar against his personal interest stepped down for M.K.O Abiola in the prelude to the June 12, 1993 election in the interest of the nation. This is a rare patriotic gesture. And when the result of that election was annulled by ruling military junta, Atiku joined forces others fighting for the revalidation of the election at risk of his life fleeing into exile when attempt was made on his life. He fought for Abiola despite being betrayed by the same Abiola who reneged on his agreement to pick him as his running mate as one of the condition to step down for him because it is part of Atiku to fight for justice.

As I stated in an earlier essay in this series, Atiku identified with people when he was the vice-president. He won landmark court cases to demonstrate that the loyalty of the vice-president is to the people and the constitution and not the president that was jointly elected with him. When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo hatched his Third-term Agenda, something that would have benefitted Atiku as the second-in-command, Atiku saw the caveat and bobby trap. He resisted the temptation and fought assiduously to frustrate the evil plot against the people. This act exacerbated the frosty relationship between Atiku and Obasanjo who used every opportunity and forum to launch a smear campaign against him.

As a person, Atiku likes to identify with individuals and progressive forces in the country. In 2014, preparatory to the 2015 presidential election, Atiku teamed with others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the hope of restructuring and rebuilding Nigeria. But when the new political arrangement failed to deliver on its promises, Atiku left the group in 2017 and returned to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, a move that was criticized by those who don’t understand Atiku’s brand of politics. One of the promises made to Nigerians by the APC before the 2015 general election to which they reneged was to restructure Nigeria. Atiku took up the restructuring campaign despite the fact that the Northern Region to which he belongs was not favorably disposed to the restructuring agenda. But Atiku held on to that because he believes it is the best for the nation.

And today, 20th day of October, 2025, Atiku at 78 was in the street with the millions of Nigerian youths protesting, asking for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because he feels the release of the incarcerated agitator is necessary for peace and unity of the country factionalized by the divisive policies of the APC apartheid regime. As I watched Atiku in the street protesting for what he thinks is right, my admiration for the elder statesman increased. And I feel strongly that Nigeria at this time needs a leader with a human face like Atiku for healing, reconciliation and national rebirth.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed 

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK