2023: Atiku And PDP’s Year Of Total Victory -By Abdullahi Abba

The political year is here once again & the movers and shakers are all over the place seeking all sorts of political offices under so many political platforms. One name however that remains prominent in all political discussions and permutations, is that of Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar (Wazirin Adamawa).

Going by recent developments, the 2023 election seems to be the closest shot for the seasoned democrat’s shot at the number 1 office in the land. Just recently, the former vice president was endorsed by both the PDP Senate and House caucuses of the National Assembly. Certainly the momentum is with the Former Vice President.

Atiku has overtime contested in 7 election cycles, twice as a main candidate on the ballot, twice as vice president candidate and three times at presidential party primaries.

The businessman cum industrialist contested the 2019 general elections under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party securing more than 11 million votes for the party in the process.

Atiku brought forth his ambitious economic masterplan under the “Let’s Get Nigeria Working Again” campaign manifesto in the 2019 general election which was widely accepted by a majority of Nigerians. The Waziri’s campaign has always been about Unity, Economy and a system that promotes justice and equity. These issues remain the crux of his political identity of a “Nationalist” essentially promoting ideals that foster unity and establish a system that works for all.

His antecedents are well known, Atiku as the chairman of the National economic council NEC from 1999–2007 led key economic reforms and programs that provided jobs, sprung up new industries and private sector business that grew the nigerian economy by $216 billion, the highest economic growth in any administration in the nation’s history and across the African continent in that time span.

Also in private capacity Atiku, through his vast network of businesses spanning across academia, shipping, logistics, banking, media, food and beverages, construction and others has provided and made livelihood easier for many. Priam Group, an umbrella of many business companies privately owned by Atiku Abubakar has provided thousands of jobs for many Nigerians and lifted many families out of poverty and created over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. No politician today, in the line of business has employed more Nigerians in the private sector like the former vice president.

Of all those wanting to be president, Atiku remains the one with the best record for jobs provision and employment to Nigerians.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released its timetable for the conduct of the 2023 General elections slating June 3rd of 2022 as the date which marks the end of all presidential party primaries. Indeed, time is not on the side of trial and error especially for opposition parties.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to which Atiku belong, has been in opposition for 7 years and counting & is looking to re-emerge at the centre. This fact necessitates above all else a candidate that can ensure and guarantee victory for the party in the 2023 general elections and Atiku Abubakar appears to be without a doubt the candidate that can do just that.

The Former VP is that candidate who enjoys the support of a majority of Nigerians across ethnicity, religion, tribe and political affiliations. The waziri swept all 11 states in the south east and the southsouth, 2 states in the southwest, 2 in the north east and 3 in the north central in the 2019 general election. This feet shows the acceptability of Waziri across all ethnicities and geopolitical zones in the country.

Indeed, As a party that wants to win, the PDP needs votes above all else from every angle of the Nation and Atiku remains the one with the most likelihood of achieving this feet.

In the APC, President Buhari’s 8 years makes it incumbent on the party to look southwards for a candidate, while the PDP has had 13 years in the south out of 16 & it has become pertinent to look northwards in line with zoning and its ultimate goal for an overwhelming & resounding victory in the next general election.

With President Buhari finishing his second term in office, northern votes are up for grabs and among all others Atiku remains the one with the structure, clout, electoral history and experience to maximize this opportunity for the PDP towards a resounding and flawless victory at the polls come February, 2023.

The onus is on PDP to put forward its best hand given the current economic, social & security challenges bedeviling the Nation in an attempt to salvage the situation while keeping its eyes on the ball (winning). Cometh the situation, cometh the man. Atiku Abubakar is an idea whose time has come.

Abdullahi Abba is a political analyst and a public commentator and can be reached via Twitter @Sir_balemoh and via mail abdullahiabba78@gmail.com