When the history of the institutionalisation of Nigeria’s democracy is documented, there is a certain individual whose roles, at different times, will attract plenty of frowns. When the names of the great politicians are called - those who gave us their all and sacrificed their ambitions to ensure a great Nigeria – this man’s name will be missing.
When the people of Nigeria get a true glimpse of behind the curtains, where the deals that make or mar the country are concluded, this man’s many divisive and diabolical dealings will be truly exposed. That man is Former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.
Atiku has become a household name in Nigeria, but sadly for the wrong things. He is the poster child for political harlotry and a master of the double cross...
In the game of politics, nothing is worth more than his ambition. His loyalty is for sale to the highest bidder as along as his greed for power is sated. This man will jump into bed with anyone just to get his way. Little wonder, the “cash-and-carry democracy” which the PDP institutionalised in our polity can be directly traced to Atiku. The man simply has no boundaries; in his book, everything and everyone was fair game.
The recent disgrace suffered by the APC during the election of the leadership of the National Assembly couldn’t have been possible without the tacit support and guidance of a party big wig. The arrogance and defiance demonstrated by Bukola Saraki could not have been so brazen if he did not have the backing of, at least, an influential member. The amount of money that was splashed to ensure his “victory” is reminiscent of the way funds were illegally deployed during the Fourth Assembly to compromise the Senate and House of Representatives members. One man whose name features prominently in the dirty dealings was Atiku. Guess who Saraki visited the after the success of his coup... Atiku, of course!
But, politics must be played with a certain level of human decency and trust. It is a sorry complimentary when every occurrence of disloyalty or cash for votes can be traced to a single individual everytime the time. The story has been told severally of the millions of dollars deployed by Atiku to APC delegates at the National Convention that threw up the candidacy of Muhammadu Buhari. The man allegedly spend over $16 million on the field to buy the votes but he was disgracefully rejected. The people took his money but did not buy his dirty politics. They took his airfare tickets and expensive lodgings but saw through his façade and duly ignored his name on the ballot. Dollars have never failed a man more in the history of humanity.
The markings of a failed politician are easy to make out. Atiku belongs in the ranks of those politicians who have never won any political office nor helped anyone to win political office. Tell me, what even makes Atiku a politician? The only office he laid claim to was the office of the Vice President which he contested as running mate twice with Olusegun Obasanjo. Beyond this, what has he ever achieved? His serial loss at presidential elections and primaries can be traced to his utter belief in the power of money.
Money politics is his only game; wealth he has found extremely difficult to explain its source. Not a single governor or senator from his state, Adamawa, can say he or she owes his position to Atiku. He has no prodigy and helps no one. Project Atiku is all about Atiku. No one else matters. Why won’t he be a serial loser?
What makes Atiku any different from the likes Bola George? Both are from the same stock; serial opportunists and serial losers. If not for the nature of our politics, those two should be forgotten by now. However, our country will evolve beyond these power-lust politricktians. While history will be kind to the likes of Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola, Bola Tinubu, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro, it will be most cruel to Atiku Abubakar and other self-serving politicians like him.
Politics without substance is ultimately a waste. Atiku is firmly a landlord in a wasteland. Shame.
By Femi Olatunbosun
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