BY OSBORNE IWEKA
Social media is abuzz with the emergence of former Vice-president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa as the Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party. The battle for the Aso villa will be between two Septunagarians (so much for the youths taking over). The youths are obviously not ready, and do not have the resources available to the oldies. Our politics is still primordial and predominantly pecuniary driven.
Alhaji Atiku was obviously better prepared than other contenders, or do I say pretenders, in the PDP presidential primaries. He proved himself to be battled tested, with unlimited dollars in his armoury, and seems to have learnt from his many previous misadventures. His sweeping victory separated the boys from the men… and placed Wike, Saraki and company in their corner.
Atiku’s marketability, however, is another issue altogether. With the corrupt toga associated with his person he will be a hard sell. It must however be stated that there are no proven corruption charges against him and no court of competent jurisdiction has found him culpable. His crucifixion has been mostly speculative at best, still his ascent to wealth could not have been his stint as a Customs boss. There are still many unanswered questions.
The upheaval surrounding his emergence and social media frenzy is traceable to the crass incompetence being exhibited by the present administration… which has proved to be unfeeling, egoistic and out of touch with the people and reality. It has been operating mostly on propaganda. Buhari and gang have proven to be as bad, if not worse, than the people they succeeded. Folks in public service are supposed to be accountable to the people, but these ones are gods onto themselves.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is re-inventing himself, posturing a more cosmopolitan outlook. He seems to be saying the right words and stringing the right cords. His real rebirth is a consequence of Buhari’s colossal failure. Atiku is blossoming because of the anything but the present cataclysmic disaster mindset of most. Atiku is presenting himself to be ready to take on the multi-faceted problems beseiging our nation. Is he truly fit and proper for the job?
Nigerians need to be cautious. ‘Caveat Emptor’ mode should be fully activated. The Bible, the best resource template, tells us to “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”. Paraphrasing, believe not every politician , especially Nigerian politicians. Subject them to scrutiny, know their manifestos and blueprints. Enough of being sold falsehoods. The change we bought is proving to be way too costly. We need to test them thoroughly.
The die is cast, the gladiators are primed for battle. The grossly incompetent anti-corruption caeser in the ‘Broom corner’, and the smart corruption tainted oligarch in the ‘Umbrella corner’. I hope Nigerians are wiser and ready. Truth be told we are caught between a rock and a hard place.
God help us.
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