As Nigeria’s political atmosphere fogs up preparatory to the 2023 general elections, there is no doubt by anyone, unless the person is not psychosomatically sound, that come May 29, 2023, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar will be sworn in as the fourth democratically elected President of Nigeria since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
What is also not in doubt is the fact that Atiku Abubakar will make a better president than all those contesting against him for reasons that are as clear as daylight, unless for those who always wish for this nation to linger in the prevailing economic, security, and social woebegone that have for long been a clog in the wheel of our growth and development.
Thus, to say that Nigeria’s problem is lack of passionate and sincere leadership is an understatement. And Atiku Abubakar, by virtue of his pedigree, antecedents, and rare leadership qualities, is the best and the most suitable among those who are eyeing the headship of the nation in 2023.
The current democratic dispensation, which President Muhammadu Buhari and others bragging about and enjoying was rescued from the hands of desperadoes by a few patriotic Nigerians including Atiku Abubakar. Unfortunately, most of those singing and enjoying its fortunes; don’t even know the history and the qualities of the presidential candidate the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has presented before Nigerians to, again, rescue not only democracy but also the country as a whole that is at the brink of a failed state.
But before I go deeply into discussing the glaring chances of the president-in-waiting, I am constrained to caution that as we take satisfaction from the revelations of the crystal ball ahead of 2023, we must also take care to quickly fix the thorny issues creating division within our family, the PDP. For all of us, PDP is supreme and no person is bigger than the party. If we truly love the party, we must make sacrifices even if they are against our personal interest. However, with the committee headed by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state reconciliation and unity in the PDP is achievable.
As a loyal party man, it is my belief that the Wike/Atiku impasse ought to have been swiftly handled. I am, however, excited that both parties have committed to a resolution through the Fintiri committee recently constituted to take a critical look at the bone of contention. A party is never stronger than when tested. It is my conviction that both Atiku Abubakar and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, who are pillars of our party, will find a democratic solution to the critical issues.
Atiku Abubakar and his vision for Nigeria should be greater than all our personal interest; this should cannot be over-emphasised. We should instead be perfecting modalities on ousting this clueless government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, completely. Nigerians will never forgive the PDP if it allows this inept APC to be given a new name under another face and time. God forbids.
Everything is about fate. It will appear the Almighty has exposed Nigeria to her current woes as the only opportunity to usher her into a revolutionary leadership. This is the apt explanation for the generally overwhelming acceptance of Atiku Abubakar, who is carrying the hope of over 200 million Nigerians. Nigerians simply want the roads to be fixed, hospitals to work again, electricity to power their homes and business, running water, standardised education, incessant strikes be curtailed and, above all, insecurity to be nipped in the bud.
In this regard, Nigerians in Owerri, Agenebode, Otta, Lafia, Zamfara and even Maiduguri are united. This has nothing to do with religion or tribe, as many politicians try to taint it. It is about fidelity to promises, about commitment to progress and making Nigeria work again.
I write in the conviction that as the experienced politician and businessman that he is, Atiku Abubakar will build a team that can find solutions to our problems. There are a plethora of evidence to prove that Atiku Abubakar is unarguably the one who truly believes in the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population as the solution to our economic woes. It starts with creating opportunities while also providing direction.
Atiku, just as he reiterated in his recent speech in commemoration of the Nigerian youth, will introduce reforms that will put the youth on the path of exceptional greatness. As one of the highest employers of Nigerian youths, it is no wonder that Atiku has such a passionate connection with them, which makes them trusted partners in his quest to fix our country. The university students must be partners in this quest.
It goes without saying that Nigeria is the only country we have. Therefore, we should have past the point of playing politics with our best hope of survival. I can bet that not many people in the “ruining” APC will confidently cast their vote against Atiku Abubakar.
The wave is coming from every angle of this nation, patriots are waiting in line to fight for the soul of Nigeria, to steady this badly captained ship and save her from going under. Never in Nigeria’s history have we had it so bad. I believe this is why Nigeria needs someone who is very smart in business and governance to take charge. Indeed, Nigeria needs someone who is abreast and in tune with modern approaches to governance, someone with a proven pedigree, someone who is result-oriented. Atiku Abubakar is out for the rescue and there is no better time to be a member of the PDP and an active voter than now.
Nigerians must beware of the holloi polloi and social media vuvuzellas who waltz in with noises but no solution or substance. The problems of Nigeria are not and should never be a question of romanticised theories. It requires a hands-on approach that is not available in books. You need an experienced enforcer to challenge the very core of our problems and take those hard decisions that will reverberate in every corner of this nation and beyond.
In fact, I challenge everyone in PDP to feel aggrieved, but never lose sight of the collective battle. Our fight is with the usurpers who have grinded our nation to a halt. Let’s chase the fox away before coming to warn the hen not to stray too far…
Kera is a journalist and former special adviser on media and publicity to former Governor Dankwambo of Gombe state.
