In the history of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, few political figures have pursued power with as much relentless ambition as Atiku Abubakar. His political journey, spanning decades, has been marked more by personal aspiration than by any enduring national vision. Beginning his career in the Nigeria Customs Service, where he rose to the rank of Deputy Director, Atiku retired in 1989 under circumstances clouded by allegations of financial impropriety.
During his tenure at Customs, the institution was frequently marred by accusations of bribery, duty evasion, and systemic abuse—many of which tainted his record. These patterns of alleged misconduct foreshadowed the controversies that would later define his political trajectory.
Investigative reports by outlets such as Premium Times and Sahara Reporters, as well as the 2007 findings of the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, detailed how Atiku used offshore accounts and shell companies—often through his then-wife Jennifer Douglas—to move over $40 million in suspicious transactions. These funds were reportedly linked to government contracts and Nigerian public accounts, underscoring serious ethical and legal concerns.
Atiku’s political ascent began in earnest in the early 1990s, gaining prominence during the 1993 presidential race under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, his real rise to influence came as Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007), a tenure marked by internal rivalry and dysfunction. In his autobiography My Watch, Obasanjo described Atiku as “a man not to be trusted with Nigeria’s future,” accusing him of undermining reforms, hijacking privatization for personal gain, and exhibiting an insatiable hunger for power.
As chairman of the National Council on Privatization, Atiku presided over the controversial sale of national assets such as NITEL, ALSCON, and Nigerian Airways. These privatizations were riddled with allegations of favoritism, underpricing, and cronyism. The Bureau of Public Enterprises, which he effectively controlled, became synonymous with insider deals and public loss.
Despite multiple attempts at the presidency—in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023—Atiku has failed to articulate a consistent or compelling ideological agenda. His repeated defection between parties (from PDP to AC, to APC, and back to PDP) reflects a pattern of opportunism rather than conviction. He has become emblematic of Nigeria’s political recycling—returning every four years like a ghost of past failures, brandishing personal entitlement rather than national purpose.
His 2023 presidential bid, in defiance of the North-South zoning understanding, fractured the PDP and ignited the formation of the G5 Governors, led by Nyesom Wike. That move alienated Southern constituencies, deepened regional mistrust, and weakened the opposition at a critical juncture.
Now, as the All Democratic Congress (ADC) and other stakeholders seek to forge a credible coalition ahead of 2027, Atiku’s involvement is more of a liability than an asset. His presence in any alliance will fracture unity and erode public trust. For a nation yearning for reform, he offers little beyond worn-out slogans and political fatigue.
What Nigeria needs is not just opposition unity—but opposition credibility. In this regard, a coalition built around Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai represents a realistic, strategic, and morally sound path forward.
Peter Obi has garnered cross-regional respect for his frugal, transparent, and people-centered leadership in Anambra State. He left N75 billion in reserves, improved education rankings, supported healthcare, and invested heavily in youth and SMEs. His 2023 performance—winning the FCT, defeating Tinubu in Lagos, and dominating among youths and diaspora voters—demonstrates his pan-Nigerian appeal and transformative potential.
Nasir El-Rufai, though polarizing, brings formidable political capital, administrative rigor, and deep roots in the North. His tenure as FCT Minister and Governor of Kaduna is noted for infrastructure expansion, digital reforms, and budgetary discipline. His alignment with Obi offers a powerful geopolitical and religious balance that enhances electability and national unity.
In stark contrast, Atiku symbolizes a bygone era of political wheeling and dealing—an era Nigerians are eager to move beyond. His candidacy represents a retreat into the politics of patronage, dollarized primaries, and elite complicity.
The ADC and its partners must choose with clarity and conscience. The Obi–El-Rufai ticket is not merely a compromise—it is a credible, inclusive, and forward-looking solution. It embodies the will of a new Nigeria, restless for justice, progress, and competent leadership.
Nigeria is watching. History is waiting. The moment to reject nostalgia and embrace the future is now.
