In a recent pre-recorded interview of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Arise T.V, he made assertion as to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reapproachment to be his running mate in the build up to the 2007 Presidential election on the platform of the Action Congress (AC). He further claimed that he rejected the move on the basis of it not being a religious balanced ticket.
Nothing could be farther from the truth as Tinubu never made such gesture. Infact, it was Atiku who first made the proposal at the starting stage of the political process then. That he later changed his mind is not enough ground for him to be lying in 2022 in order to make cheap political gain.
We view Atiku’s interview as a sensational attempt on his part to shore up his already dwindling political image. This is occassioned by his leaving the country immediately after his dismal performance in the 2019 election where he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.
After spending three years on sabbatical in Dubai, his new adopted country, Atiku might be tempted to believe that announcing his arrival with a sensational headline will be the best, unfortunately he hits the wrong Target in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC Standard bearer.
It is of grave concern that someone of Atiku’s status will be stoking the ember of religion fire just to make cheap political gains. While it is understandable that all is fair during war, it is highly unexpected of someone of Atiku’s status, a former vice president who should understand better the political repercussions of religion crisis to be at the forefront of inflaming this dangerous weapon of division.
Maybe it just occurred to Vice President Atiku in 2022 that he rejected Tinubu’s Vice Presidency in 2007 on account of being a Muslim but let us remind him that he begged and cried to be MKO Abiola’s running mate in the build up to the 1993 Presidential election. Abiola must have been a Southern Christian then.
Electorates should be wary of politicians like Atiku who employs every antics, no matter how dirty to advance his political ambition. He can go to any length not minding the negative fall-out of such actions. He is desperate for power. Nigerians should be wary of Atiku.
Then, on Atiku’s demand for a one hour debate with Asiwaju on National TV. While we are not averse to this, we view it inappropriate to play a final game without playing the preliminaries or qualifying rounds. Atiku should first engage Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwanso, his co-travellers in the last political journey in debate and see whether he can qualify to meet Asiwaju in the final. Tinubu is the final word
Kazeem Kolawole RAJI
DIRECTOR GENERAL
GRAND ALLIANCE FOR TINUBU-SHETTIMA, 2023. (GATS-2023).
