Babachir Lawal And His Allegation Against Atiku Abubakar (Part 2), by Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Babachir remarks about Atiku might look harmless but coming at the time it did, it is mischievous. It sounds like a cheap blackmail. Atiku has always been the subject of cheap blackmail for torn-coat politicians, right from the time of Obasanjo who loves to attack Atiku for frustrating his Third-Term self-perpetuation agenda.

The behavior of our current politicians leaves much to be desired. There is no maturity and there is no virtues worthy of emulation in them. There is so much bitterness rancor and acrimony among them. They have turn politics to a do-or-die affair, believing that all is fair in politics according Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

But, it is not supposed to be so. That we belong to different political camps will not warrant name calling and smear campaign. We can have different political opinion and philosophies but it will necessitate throwing stones and brickbats at one another. We should play politics of principles and recognize other peoples’ right to their decisions. Mudslinging, bitterness is the trademark of frustrated politicians. At this age, Nigerians should eschew politics of bitterness and play by the rules. Our campaigns should be issue-based not character assassination.

There is no doubt that Babachir David Lawal was sounding like a frustrated politician seeking attention and relevance. And he has pick a wrong person and an elder statesman. He wanted to take control of the party structure in Adamaw State, his state when Atiku is there which is not possible. But his pride and ego would not let him recognize that Atiku is bigger than him politically and in all ramification. And that is obviously the crux of the matter. He is intimidated by Atiku’s towering presence and dominance in the political arena. And instead of being humble, he is accusing Atiku of being proud. Atiku and Babachir are never in the same class by every standard. So between the two, who do we judge to be proud?

Atiku is seasoned politician, an accomplished business mogul, an excellent public administrator, an achiever. He served as vice-president of the country between 1999 and 2007 and acquitted himself creditable, recording recognizable landmark achievements. Babachir’s highest office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) which he held for 20 months before he was suspended and sacked when a probe panel indicted him for misappropriation of public funds.

Atiku has come a long way in the Nigerian political sphere having spent close to 4 decades in politics. He has paid his dues. He has made enormous sacrifices and indelible contributions for our democracy. And so, he deserves our respect, not insult. It is therefore very unfortunate that one from his own, from his very own state, Adamawa, who should accord him respect is the one disparaging his name in public.

Atiku distinguished himself in public service rising to the position of Deputy Comptroller General of Customs before retiring into private business and into partisan politics when the military juntas lifted the ban on politics in the late 1980s. Atiku, the Wazirin Adamawa stepped down for MKO Abiola in the build up to the 1993 presidential election and was among those that fought to chase the military back to the barracks at the risk of his life.

Where was Babachir when Atiku and others were fighting for a return to civil rule in the country in the 90s? In 1999, while Babachir Lawal was in Kaduna struggling with his small private firm, Rholavision engineering Limited, Atiku was making history. In January 1999, Atiku won the Adamawa governorship and by February, Obasanjo recognized the statesman in him and chose him as his running mate. On May, 29, 1999, he was sworn in as vice-president of Nigeria in the Forth Republic.

Babachir was still a local business man chasing private ICT contracts. Atiku was in the Aso Villa, the seat of government stabilizing our nascent Democracy. Babachir joined politics in 2002 under the defunct All Nigerians Peoples’ Party (ANPP). That is the difference between Atiku, the national leader, and Babachir, the appointee whose relevance came years later through a system that Atiku helped to birth.

But, I am not surprised to hear Babachir call Atiku “impossible to work with”. Of course it is impossible for men without integrity to work with Atiku. Babachir holds no moral ground to judge a man who was already vice president while he was still in private business.

And the ethnic card? Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe is not a Fulani man, but has held his voice for over two decades. Atiku sees competence, not tribe. Atiku is liberal and productive. So he likes competent and productive people irrespective of creed, tribe or tongue. Atiku builds bridges. But Babachir, cuts grass and was a customer of the EFCC. Babachir Lawal should swallow his pride and apologize to Atiku. It is an abominable in African culture to insult an elder.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, a social activist, politician
London, UK