Ikenna Asomba
Since former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, thus, tendering his resignation letter, mixed reactions have continued to trail that spectacular move.
While many a Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora have continued to hail Atiku’s decision, some others particularly, those who sincerely or pretentiously have a soft spot for the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration have continued to condemn Atiku, calling him unprintable names in the mainstream and social media.
Of course, the media space is still democratised, so such mixed reactions are allowed.
But, personally for me, I have critically looked at the Brand Atiku Abubakar and I can submit that there are certain positive qualities and factors that would work for him, ahead of the Presidential Elections in 2019. I hereby list them below:
1. Atiku is not a coupist.
2. Atiku is not a dictator.
3. Atiku is a firm believer of democracy.
4. Atiku is not a power monger.
5. Atiku is not a religious jingoist.
6. Atiku is not an ethnic bigot.
7. Atiku is a firm believer of true governance.
8. Atiku is a firm believer of human capital development.
9. Atiku is a philanthropist.
9. Atiku is a job creator.
10. Atiku is a firm believer of a Restructured Nigeria.
11. Atiku is a firm believer that the practice of true fiscal federalism for nation building is sacrosanct.
12. Atiku is a firm believer of education for all.
13. Atiku is a firm believer of quality education for the girl child.
14. Atiku is a Radicalist and Change Agent.
15. Atiku is Bold, Brave and Brilliant.
15. Atiku is an Intelligent, Cosmopolitan Political Juggernaut.
16. Atiku has Deep-rooted grassroots political following across the six geo-political zones of the country.
17. Atiku has wide political networks across the six geo-political zones.
18. Atiku has the international political and economic networks.
19. Atiku has a heavy financial war-chest.
20. Atiku is a firm believer of the 35 percent Affirmation Action for women in governance.
21. Atiku is a firm believer of the active participation of youths in politics and governance.
22. As a young Customs Officer in charge of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, in 1984, Atiku showed his boldness to face the powers that be when he almost got sacked for confirming a Guardian enquiry that some 53 suit cases were illegally imported into the country through the Muritala Mohammed Airport. This was after there was a National Currency Change Policy.
23. Atiku alongside other progressives sent the Khaki boys back to the barracks in 1999.
24. Atiku alongside other progressives fought and killed President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Third Term Agenda in 2006.
25. The political dynamics of 2015 have changed. In 2015 it was Four Regions (North-East, North-Central, North-West, Muslim people’s of South-West) against two regions (South-South) and (South-East). Now Atiku and Buhari will share the three Northern Regions, as Atiku would have the South-South, South-East and also the South-West, all things being equal (ceteris paribus).
Politics is a Chess Game. I reiterate those discarding the Chances of an Atiku Presidency are only Fantasizing.
Ikenna Asomba is a Social Commentator
