By Ben AHANONU
While some Nigerians have described as Freudian slip Atiku Ababakar's recent odious remarks about Yorubas and Igbos, I, however consider such as acerbic rantings of a politically handicapped and drowning man that catches at a straw.
Atiku Abubakar said during the recent Arewa town hall policy dialogue in Kaduna, that: “What the average Northerner needs is somebody who is from the North … he doesn’t need a Yoruba Candidate or an Igbo candidate”.
I am not surprised by Atiku Abubakar's desperate pronouncement because as a drowning man with defeat staring in his face and which he must embrace soon, Atiku, has resorted to whipping up ethnic sentiments - he cannot and will never rule Nigeria.
He claims to be a bridge builder and unifier but his actions and pronouncements portray him as antithesis of a pan-Nigerian politician.
A unifier cannot go to southeast and promise to handover to an Igbo after eight years and move to south-south to make the same promise and by so doing exposing his treacherous underbelly.
Is he coming as Nigerian President, who will seek a united and prosperous country, or a tribal northern president?
I want to also believe that Atiku's classification of North does not include Northern Christians, who have been besieged, killed and despoiled by Fulani expansionist terrorists because he will be insulting their psyche.
When Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, was stoned to death and burnt by some misguided fellows for allegedly posting comments that blasphemed Prophet Mohammed, the same Atiku Ababakar was quick on flip-flop to delete a statement he issued condemning the killing on his Facebook and Twitter accounts after coming under pressure from those he thought will vote for him, claiming that it was done without his approval.
It is obvious that Atiku Abubakar only pays lip service to national unity, despite the fact that it features as one of the 5 cardinal points of his so-called “Covenant with Nigerians."
Atiku Abubakar cannot pretend again as his real configuration as a tribal champion ready to divide and rule is now fully naked before the Nigerian people.
Meanwhile, there are indications that the former Vice-President, through his statement in Kaduna, might have breached Section 97 of the Electoral Act.
The section states: “A candidate, person or association that engages in campaigning or broadcasting based on religious, tribal or sectional reason to promote or oppose a particular political party or the election of a particular candidate, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to (a) a maximum fine of N1m or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both and (b) in the case of a political party, to a maximum of N10m.’’
The question is, why is it not about what Nigeria and Nigerians need? Nigerians need bold and visionary leadership with firm commitment to national unity, over and above ethnic or sectional interests.
Atiku’s comment smacks of extreme and mindless desperation and such an extremely desperate man cannot and must not be given the most important job in Nigeria i.e. the President because it is a job with the core duty of leading, uniting and working in the best interest of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, sex or creed.
Interestingly, Atiku Ababakar, who sold Nigeria's critical assets cheaply as Chairman of National Council on Privatization ( NCP) and brought darkness to Nigeria is eager to sell more even the NNPC; the same Atiku who cannot manage his family well - as Jennifer left, has already destroyed the PDP and wants to bring the same division and destruction into the affairs of the country.
Indeed, the five PDP Governors led by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike have been proven right and true lovers of the country.
Atiku Ababakar does not believe in equity, justice and fairness otherwise he will not continue to insist on Iyorchia Ayu as PDP Chairman.
Atiku Ababakar is an ethnic champion, who wants to rule Nigeria by all means but lacks the capacity to govern well. He can marry from every tribe in Nigeria but that will not make any difference.
I take pity on those supporting him because they are on a wild goose chase. So long as I am concerned, Atiku's ambition to govern Nigeria will remain a mirage and this is based on the fact that nothing good will ever come from him.
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