Atiku And PDP’s Quest For Power In 2023 -By Gozie Irogboli

That the current political leadership in the country under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians and humanity is glaringly obvious. What is in doubt however is the readiness of Nigerians to force out the obnoxious regime through the ballot box and break free from the misery foisted on the nation.

APC has proved to be a political amalgam populated by drones, hawks, buccaneers, ethnic irredentists and religious bigots. It has proved to be a party of idiots and tribesmen as the ancient Greece would put it. It has proved to be a party of propagandists and excuse-makers that has nothing but pain and misery to offer the nation. They celebrate failure and blame everybody for their failure. Those who know nothing about nation-building have hijacked the state administrative machinery and turned the country into a pariah state where insecurity, poverty, crime, corruption, banditry, violence are the order of the day. They have no program: lies, subterfuge, impunity, mediocrity, tribalism, among other unethical conducts are their stocks in trade. The fate, the future, the survival, the corporate existence of the country, Nigeria as a united entity is now hanging on the precipice. Suffice it to say that the future of the nation is clearly uncertain because of the existence of inept leadership at the center.

Thus, the biggest task before the nation now is how to chase APC out of government. The nation is tired of APC. The citizens are disillusioned, dispirited and despondent buffeted by motley of problems created by toxic leadership. It is not out of place to state that if the nation must survive after 2023, it must force APC out of power. And clearly, the onus is on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to get its acts right. This is the opportunity PDP has to leverage on the failures of APC to regain power at the center. But, regaining power will invariably depend on a number of factors. PDP should step up its consultations and stakeholders’ engagement for the purpose of getting things right. By and large, designing strategy entails doing a realistic assessment of the situation, identifying your strength, weaknesses and threats, knowing the strength of your opponent or competitors, defining your goals, making use of your opportunities and resources to develop the plan and getting the right person(s) to achieve your defined goals.

But regrettably, rather than realize the enormous responsibility on its hands to rescue the nation from the brink at present, members of PDP are embroiled in internal wrangling and squabble that is threatening to tear the party apart. Rather than articulate effective workable strategies to wrestle power, the party is still dissipating energy bickering. It seems that members of the party did not know the opportunity they have now and the expectations of Nigerians to be freed from the bondage of the reckless, feckless and directionless APC regime.

Without doubt, regaining power will depend on the caliber of candidate that PDP will field as its standard bearer in the Presidential election. Given a free and fair election, getting an acceptable candidate means the job of winning the election is half way done. PDP needs a candidate that enjoys nation-wide acceptability. PDP needs a candidate that is prepared and able; a personality that is experienced and charismatic, not a rookie or political green horn or opportunist. There have been too many bickering and intrigues about the selection process and criteria for the PDP presidential candidate. PDP may go into extinction if it fails to grab the opportunity presented by the forthcoming 2023 presidential election by presenting a sellable candidate.

Ndigbo are saying it is their turn. They are entitled to given the level of marginalization they have suffered in Nigeria and the fact that the Igbo have the skills and the willingness to work. As an Igbo man, I personally would want an Igbo man for their love for fairness and productivity but realistically speaking, the mood of the nation may not be amenable for that. The North is still apprehensive that an Igbo man will divide the country given the rising spate of separatist agitation in Igbo land. The only way the Igbo can produce a Nigerian president in this instant is if both APC and PDP present Igbo candidates each. But clearly, APC will never present an Igbo candidate for obvious reasons.

It is also reported that PDP governors led by Chief Nyesom Wike are plotting to impose one of currently serving governor as the party’s presidential candidate. That is also suicidal for evidently none of the current governors enjoys nation-wide acceptability. There is no space here to analyze the style and the foibles of the PDP governors but suffice it to say that their popularities did not go beyond the confines of their respective states. Wike’s popularity did not go beyond River State. From the way Wike carries himself as the Lord of Manor it is obvious that he is on fast track to political oblivion. By the time he steps down as the governor of River State in 2023 his political irrelevance will manifest.

Independent investigation carried out recently has shown that His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON) is still the best bet for PDP in its quest to regain power at the center. He is by far the most popular and stands head and shoulder ahead of the rest of the gladiators jousting for the covet position of PDP flag bearer. Despite the attempts by his traducers and political opponents to discredit him and malign his character, he still remains standing like colossus in the Nigerian political pathway. Atiku has proved to a strong political war horse. He is the most dominant political personality in Nigeria today and his quest for political leadership of the country is the most dominant issue at present. He is a bridge-builder, a detribalized statesman and a patriot. Atiku’s power and influence is legendary. He is treading on a familiar tuff. His sacrifices and contribution to the growth of democracy in Nigeria is monumental. This is why his supporters are intrigued and agitated while his opponents are apprehensive and jittery over his expression of interest to contest the forth coming presidential election in 2023.

He is principled. He has well-defined political philosophy anchored on patriotism, rule of law and peaceful co-existence. He abhors politics of bitterness and rancor that is prevalent in South West and politics of religious bigotry that is dominant in his Northern region.

As a professional and as business man who has great accomplishments to his credit, Atiku appreciates achievement and productivity. And thus, he has never hidden his love for the country especially the Igbo man who thrives on hard work.

In 2007 when he contested under ACN against Shehu Umaru Yar’adua, he picked Ben Obi an Igbo man as his deputy against Tinubu’s wish and going by popular speculation, he won that election for that election was said to be the worst election in the history of Nigeria as it was said that it was massively rigged in favor of PDP by Maurice Iwu-led INEC. Again in 2019, he picked Dr. Peter Obi another Igbo man and unofficial record shows that he won also. This time it is obvious that he will win again if he gets the nod to represent PDP.

Without mincing words, the Igbo man’s shortest route to the Presidency is through Atiku who is state manly and detribalized. Personally, I would desire to see the Igbo man emerge president in 2023 but is it feasible given the state of the nation? Instead fielding Igbo man and losing the election, PDP should field somebody who has the clout to wrestle this power from the oppressive regime. The Igbo man should negotiate with Atiku and support him. Ndigbo should be futuristic and strike strategic alliance.

Another critical issue PDP should look at is the issue of fairness. It is a fact that of the 16 years rule of PDP prior to the mistake of 2015, the North only got about two and a half years while the South got thirteen and a half years. Thus, it will not be out of place for PDP to consider the North this time for fairness sake. The party from the outset has always been fair to every political bloc in the country according to philosophy of the founding fathers before the infiltration of the party by moles and political pettifoggers.

Moreover, given the oppressive rule of PMB, the North may be unwilling to vote a Southern candidate now for fear of reprisal action. Therefore any party that fields a Northern candidate will certainly get the support of the North en bloc. And Atiku Abubakar remains the most viable option.

In the light of these, I will advise PDP to close ranks and do thorough situation analysis and come up with a realistic strategy to retrieve power from APC. If possible they should hire a team of consultants to advise them appropriately. The nation’s interest should take precedence over personal ambition. It is clearly mischievous to categorize PDP and APC to be the same as some erroneously do. The difference between the two parties is clear. PDP has demonstrated that it is a party of national unity that carries every part of the nation along while APC has winner-takes-all philosophy. It has not hidden its sectional and primordial inclination.

Gozie Irogboli
An economist, consultant, public policy analyst and a novelist
(goziei@yahoo.com)