By Muhammad Inuwa M/fashi
In 2006, Nigeria’s political scene was shaken by an unprecedented conflict between President Olusegun Obasanjo and his then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. Few remember that this confrontation led Obasanjo to sack Atiku, declaring his office vacant—a dramatic move that would send shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape and define Atiku’s career for years to come.
At the heart of this fallout was Atiku’s defection to the newly-formed Action Congress (AC), a party influenced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he eyed the presidency. Obasanjo viewed this decision as a betrayal, particularly since Atiku’s move came while he was still in office as Vice President. Obasanjo argued that Atiku’s shift to the AC disqualified him from holding the vice-presidential position, leading to his dismissal.
Atiku did not take the dismissal quietly. In response, he penned letters to the country’s top officials at the time, including Senate President Ken Nnamani, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari, and Chief Justice of the Federation Salihu Modibbo Belgore. In these letters, Atiku outlined his position, condemning Obasanjo’s actions as a violation of the constitution.
One particular excerpt from his letter read: “It has come to my attention that President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared my office vacant and has also announced the withdrawal of my rights and privileges as the Vice President of Nigeria. The president claimed to have based his unconstitutional action on my emergence as the presidential candidate of the Action Congress [AC].” This statement highlighted what Atiku saw as a gross overreach of executive power and a direct attempt to silence his political ambitions.
Atiku’s transition to the AC solidified his political alliance with Bola Tinubu, who played a key role in supporting him as the party’s candidate for the 2007 presidential election. But despite the robust campaign, Atiku’s aspirations were thwarted at the polls. This would not be his last attempt at the presidency; rather, it marked the beginning of a cycle of election bids that would see him repeatedly fall short of victory.
Over the years, some Nigerians have referred to this cycle as Atiku’s “political karma”—a recurring theme where every four years he contests the presidency only to face a setback. Critics argue that Atiku’s long-standing pursuit of the presidency has not only strained his credibility but also left the political stage cluttered with figures from an older generation. This ongoing saga has led some voices to call on both Atiku and his former ally Tinubu to “pass the baton” to a new generation capable of taking on Nigeria’s pressing issues.
In light of these developments, the question remains: is it time for Atiku and Tinubu, two stalwarts of Nigeria’s political history, to step aside and allow fresh voices to lead the country? As Nigeria faces an array of challenges, from economic instability to security concerns, there is a growing consensus that a generational shift in leadership could bring new perspectives and solutions.
For now, however, Atiku remains undeterred in his ambition. Whether he will finally achieve his presidential dream or continue to meet resistance at the polls is a question only time can answer. But the legacy of his clash with Obasanjo endures as a defining chapter in Nigerian politics—one that continues to shape both Atiku’s trajectory and the broader political landscape.
Muhammad Inuwa M/fashi Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com
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