Without any political, religious, or ethnocentric indulgence, on my part, as a political realist, and not a political stargazer…their Excellencies, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, are still visibly standing, as veterans, in the nation’s body politics, having traversed the Nigerian political landscape for decades with their experiences, and millions of political supporters, lovers, haters, critics, and villains in the saddle, for different reasons, across the country and in diaspora.
Hence, as the last contemporary political titans, therefore, the need to bequeath a new viable modern day Nigerian nation, should not be far fetched, or traded away, on the pedestal of Nigerian political stock exchange market…’cos, any human emotional, ethno-religious, and political sentiment, error of judgment, abdication, or anything to the contrary, therein, may lead to the nation’s future political jeopardy, tragedy, and untoward events, in the end !
Deep down…there are certain profound reasons, beyond human comprehension, for the Duo of Asiwaju and Atiku, not only being alive, but politically relevant today, and, or either, in 2027- God cannot be mocked, confused or fooled. His ways, more often, not human ways! But, human occasional choices have always been reference-point of experiences, and learnings, for those who are ready, and susceptible to relearning, for the future!
Asiwaju’s political activities in defunct NADECO, really culminated into becoming a two-term Lagos State Governor (1999-2007)…the achievements that were, later, tutored for his becoming the nation’s president, in 2023 general elections, which were characterized by ethno-religious sentiment of “emi lokan…eyin eleyi”, but later metamorphosed to “awa lokan…omo eni kosedi bebere”, and another in… “yes daddy” to… “daddy this is a religious war o”, etc.
Atiku, on his part, seems to still sustain and maintain his desire to render certain services to the nation, as past and present government critic, and an aspiring future president, having been the vice president, and head of the economic team of Baba Obasanjo’s PDP led Federal Government, (1999-2007).
The ingenuity, or otherwise, of Atiku’s recent proposal to the National Assembly, for a six-year single term rotational presidency, therefore, needs further interrogation, vis-a-vis his political activities, so far, as leader of opposition, and a runner up, to President Tinubu, in the 2023 presidential elections.
Immediately after the Supreme court 2023 presidential elections final judgement, Atiku stated, amongst others, during a press conference, as follows- “However, Iam not going away. For as long as I breathe I will continue to struggle, with other Nigerians, to deepen our democracy and rule of law and for the kind of political and economic restructuring the country needs to reach its true potential.”- how far has he, therefore, adhere to this solemn pledge, as a statesman, saboteur, villain or otherwise?
In a post on his verified X HANDLE, formerly TWITTER, on February 25, 2024, Atiku drew the attention of President Tinubu to the Argentine President Javier Milei’s economic reforms, which, according to Atiku “…started off cutting government expenditure…size of government and wastage…reducing the number of ministries…”, amongst other President Javier Milei’s stabilization plan which, according to Atiku, “bears a similar emblem with my Recover Nigeria Plan”, which “Iam more than willing to disclose details of its working with the current government…to take Nigeria out of the depth of hunger and anger…”.
Atiku, thereafter, went ahead, on his social media handle X to publicly disclose “the strategic steps to recover Nigerian economy and make it stronger, dynamic, resilient and competitive”, one by one, as former head of the nation’s economic team, with the following comments by some social media commentators, thereafter.-
TONYE BARCANI: “President Bola Tinubu should accept this display of statesmanship by HE Atiku Abubakar to ensure a robust fiscal policy.
OPTM- Instead of criticizing nd behaving like a bitter enemy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, out of love 4 Nigeria and its citizens, is sharing practical solutions 2 Tinubu, citing practical examples of situations in Argentina…Tinubu!!! Na beg I dey beg Listen to advice pls…”.
I DO ART STUDIOS – Honestly this man would have been the best fit, but Nigerians…with ethnic and religion, forgetting they will bear the rotting.”
NWAFRESH- At this point, we need Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi in one team. We just need to win at all cost”.
EUGENE LEE JNR- Atiku was prepared to be president. Tinubu, kindly take note of the above recommendations. For Atiku, its Nigeria first…”.
On January 25, 2024, Atiku had equally, on his verified official account X, called the attention of the Federal government to the lopsided economic/financial agreement between the NNPCL and SVP (Special Vehicle Project), on crude-for-catch loan, the repayment process, which Atiku observed, would eventually outweighed the amount of loan earlier secured, as follows-
“…The Federal Government last year, precisely, on August 16, 2023, through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, (NNPC), secured a $3.3billion emergency crude repayment loan…with an agreement to pay with crude oil to SPV in order to liquidate the loan at an interest rate of 12percent.
Nigeria’s current barrels produced daily (BPD) is 1.38million, and according to the Project Gazette deal, Nigeria is to supply 90,000 Barrels of its daily production, starting from 2024 till it is up to 164.25milion barrels for repayment of the loan”
“Now, this is where the details get disturbing because Nigeria’s benchmark for the sale of crude per barrel in 2024 is $77.96. A simple multiplication of that figure by 164.25 will give us a whooping $12bn.”
” It is, therefore, inconceivable that the Federal government will lead the country to take a loan of $3.3,billions with an interest rate that is not more than 12percent, but with estimated repayment amounting to $12bn…a humongous differential of about $7b…” Atiku observed, with other follow up questions on his verified account X!
Atiku, like one man rock of Gibraltar in opposition, has severally observed, by taken up the Federal government, criticized, and painstakingly offered series of advice and suggestion, on a lot of serious national issues of importance, like Lagos- Warri, and Sokoto coastal roads, epileptic fuel prices/subsidy, workers salaries/masses sufferings, amongst others. And now a proposal to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, which will likely not see the light of the day, except the executive gives the go ahead, or approves it!
His latest proposal has four main thrusts of a six year-single tenure for both the president and governors, based on rotation, among the (six) geopolitical zones of the country, and in the states, a minimum of Ordinary National Diploma (OND) academic qualifications for political office aspirants, and enhancing political party internal democracy, by empowering the parties on their choice of candidates seeking political offices.
Atiku had, actually, in the past, been advocating for many of these reforms since 1995 constitutional review, towards the1999 constitution, which was, later, expunged by the military. He proposed it again, during the 2006 constitutional review, and later highlighted them, amongst other suggestions, in his press conference address, after the Supreme court 2023 judgement, and now to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review.
However, my personal take on the above suggestions, and proposal, by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, which are germane to our socioeconomic, educational, cultural, and political recoveries, is that, holistic restructuring of the country, should first be embarked upon, for a seamless process of rotational presidency in a new restructured dispensation, in order not to be turned into another national ethnic issue, rivalry, dominance, and manipulation, in the present awkward system. But the present Federal government seems to be weakening federalism, and strengthening unitary system, through some of their policies!
Infact, Atiku was widely reported, sometime ago, to have written a book that detailed how he would love to implement an holistic restructuring of Nigeria, (politico-economic solutions), which was launched in 2022.
Finally, I wish to sincerely admonish President Tinubu’s led federal government, once again, that the series of critique, pieces of advice, and sincere suggestions, that are, always, being dished out by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, and others, should not be traded away on the pedestal of Nigerian political stock exchange market, please!
Nigeria is on the edge of a precipice- individuals, groups or nations, often seek help to be strong, and not to be weak. In our climes, however, we create enmity from little political disagreements/contentious issues, even at our individual levels. But, Atiku, had, sincerely and statesmanlike, offered useful suggestions to move the nation forward, despite his reservations, and not being so comfortable, with our obviously weak democratic institutions- like the judiciary, electoral system, and the state of affairs, in general.
Atiku has always, candidly offered revamping solutions- what an advancement of knowledge, and expression of love, from the opposition party leadership to the ruling party leadership, but often being politically misconstrued, indeed!
The process of implementation of some of these recommendations, suggestions, propasals and advices, should be immediate by His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led Federal government, and not to be used, later, as political baits, or gimmicks, towards the 2027 general elections, without implementing them, now, please!
