It would not be too far fetched to postulate that Atiku Abubakar began eyeing yet another presidential bid as early as May of 2015.
Could have been imagining himself being the one taking that horse drawn victory ride, as he watched PMB in the swearing in ceremony. That is the nature of the beast called “unhealthy” or “unchecked” personal ambition.
Every move Atiku has made since then has been calculated to fulfilling that one aim. The surreptitious lend of support to similarly minded politicians in APC, in masterminding a “political coup” in the leadership of the senate then. The systematic and very convenient enabling of his own so called “sidelining” by the Buhari administration.
What could be seen as Atiku’s political “suaveness,” ironically, are the same exact traits that continue to undermine his political career.
Eight years as a Vice President has added no political equity, nor has that record been of any advantage in negotiating favorable terms for the man, certainly not politically.
Neither has Atiku’s success as a business man and philanthropist translated into being seen as a leader by the wider society.
Deserving or not, his name has never been, and considering this lastest move, will probably never be, the first that comes to mind, when Nigerians think about leadership.
Atiku conspicuously runs a huge deficit, as far as trust, integrity, honesty, courage, and especially dependability. These qualities are indispensably foundational. When they are absent, the result is what we saw in the leadership, those six years preceding president Buhari.
Atiku Abubakar is one of a small group of politicians everyone, (within and outside APC) know and regard as having a PDP heart and soul. No matter where they roam, PDP is home. And that is not intended as a compliment.
They have several general characteristics, (believe it or not, including “charm”and “charisma”.) Most notable however, is that they can pass off as benevolent or generous, even to other politicians, but in reality, every move they make is a carefully calculated one, toward fulfilling their personal political ambition.
Unfortunately, absolutely nothing else takes precedence over that wild ambition. Not party, and certainly not country.
We have to acknowledge Atiku Abubakar has a very insatiable appetite politically, but is quite pathetically predictable.
To mention but a couple (of the numerous) reasons why he inspires no confidence.
More to come…
I am @SusanHenshaw50 on twitter
