By Valentine Amanze
(25-08-2025)
The ability of Mr. Peter Obi to navigate Nigeria out of the troubled water to safety is not in doubt. He did it in Anambra State as governor.
Obi equally showcased the magic wand during Nigeria’s 2019 general election, when, with data, he provided solution to the nation’s challenges.
He didn’t do it alone. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Nigeria’s vice president, was his pillar. Both participated in the election as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively.
In fact, it took the style of the 1979 general election, when all the political parties paraded the most intelligent Igbo political leaders as top members.
The late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, was part of the adoption.
Ojukwu, while joining the national politics, said that his intention was to bring the Igbo from their cocoon to the mainstream of Nigeria’s politice.
Ojukwu, who endorsed Obi before death, fulfilled the promise by honouring the hand of fellowship extended to him by the Alhaji Shehu Shagari-led National Party of Nigeria (NPN) – the ruling party in 1979.
Of course, the party won the election with Dr Alex Ekwueme as vice president. It happened less than 10 years after the civil war.
Again, the combination of Obi and Atiku, was a formedable team that rattled the electorate and the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
If not the manipulated process, Atiku would have been Nigeria’s president, with Obi, as his deputy.
Destiny is playing out again. Both men have met again on a different platform – the
African Democratic Congress (ADC) – after Obi, without structure, dusted all the self-aclaimed experienced politicians in the 2023 general election.
If Obi and Atiku mean to save Nigeria, their strategy must change. The battle must not be fought differently; but in a common front.
Obi and Atiku | File Image
While some analysts say both cannot match the firepower from the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I say otherwise.
Also read: Obi’s humility in service
Fine, Tinubu is now the consensus candidate of the APC in the 2027 general election, ADC will likely adopt theirs.
Atiku is said to cherish Obi’s humility and intelligence.
Again, Obi once said that he did his aprentiseship under his boss, Atiku Abubakar.
The love and understanding are already there.
A popular politician told me to watchout how Atiku would drop his ambition for Peter Obi. The issue is trust, he said. Both have worked together without rancour.
He said that assuming the statement attributed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting an abandonment of his presidential ambition and a decision not to contest in future presidential elections in 2027, is genuine, I remain optimistic that this bold move will pave the way for a brighter future.
“To alleviate my doubts, I must see him make a public display of support for a younger, more widely accepted candidate nominated by the ADC as its flagbearer, specifically by raising the candidate’s hand in a gesture of unwavering support, thereby inspiring a new generation of leaders.
“Given Atiku’s established reputation as a seasoned politician, I find it challenging to accept that he would willingly forgo his presidential aspirations while still active in politics, but I am willing to reconsider my stance and believe in the power of selfless leadership.”
Imagine when Atiku, with his structure all over the nation, endorses Obi, the ruling party would be in tumoil, according to political experts.
They said that what would only be left for the ADC is to endorse Obi as a consensus candidate.
As the nation is in the autopilot, a drastic solution is needed to avoid a crash.
For now all hands must be on deck to save Nigeria irrespective of tribe, religion and party loyalty.
Everybody is crying. Poverty is the same in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Fulani, Ijaw and other tribes.
We will not continue to sacrifice the nation on the altar of tribe, party and incompetence.
We have seen people with integrity denied the opportunity to rule Nigeria. Obi was denied the opportunity in 2023.
At a time like this the situation must change. Must we continue the statuesque of wasteful eight years in office?
In fact, Nigeria does not need rocket science to achieve its dreams.
The rawmaterials are locally available in terms of human resources.
I have pondered how Nigeria would be under Peter Obi, with the support of Atiku, as a party leader.
But, the Judiciary under Kekere Ekun, this time, must spare the nation of trouble, by being professional and independent.
Her judgement on Imo State governorship election has continued in sorrow and bloodbath.
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