It is a widely believed notion that Nigerians are strong and resilient people who can endure the most agonising conditions, no matter how long it goes on for. Yes, we would complain, make a few noises here and there and recoil back to our torture chambers. And not even a whimper would be heard again. But the situation is different this time. Nigerians are not just complaining and whimpering anymore, they are screaming and crying bitterly, letting the world know they are in distress. They cry out everyday in hunger, in hopelessness. Let us not deceive ourselves, Nigeria is at the precipice of a catastrophic implosion. Everything that could possibly go wrong has gone wrong. As Nigerians battle with unprecedented economic hardship, with many hitherto hardworking citizens now turning to beggars, bandits, terrorists, kidnappers have all gone on rampage, slaughtering lives at will, making an absolute mockery of our security apparatus.
In another 12 months or so from now, Nigerians will head to the polls for the 2027 presidential election. Another pivotal moment in our nation’s history has come upon us and the significance must not be lost on anyone that desires to see a better governed Nigeria. Things have never looked this gloomy for us as a people. The country needs a tested and competent leader who has the proven capacity and enormous experience to steer the affairs of a complex nation like Nigeria. Nigeria needs a president that fully understands the dynamics of a massive yet intricate economy like ours. We need a leader who considers the life of every Nigerian, regardless of the tribal and religious affiliation, extremely valuable. And if truth be told, that leader is none other than Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 is the most experienced of all the presidential candidates we have today in the country. He has had the privilege of sitting on the affairs of governance; leading a remarkable economic team of sustainable economic growth in Nigeria with the formulation of economic policies and reforms in the process of nation-building under former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Many will recall that, at the time Atiku and Obasanjo got into office, the nation’s economy was in a pretty bad shape, coming off a long period of military misrule, yet the country achieved its highest economic growth rate in history. And at the heart of this transformation stood Atiku Abubakar, Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council, whose economic stewardship turned policy documents into prosperity and blueprints into buildings. At this critical point in our nation’s history, Nigerians are yearning for leadership that can reignite our economic engine and lead us to a place of prosperity and who else is best suited for the job other than Atiku Abubakar. He has done it before, even as a vice president, he can surely do it again.
Under his watch as Chairman of the National Economic Council, Nigeria didn't merely grow; it soared, becoming Africa's fastest-growing economy. This wasn't luck. It was the result of bold, strategic policies that addressed structural weaknesses while unlocking dormant potential. More than anything else, we must revive our dying economy and turn it around before it is pronounced dead.
It is heart breaking to see how helplessly the government watches as Nigerians are being slaughtered almost on a daily basis. Terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, all take turns to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians and the government clearly has no clue how to deal with this monster called insecurity. Even with the support coming from the US military, there has been no significant change in the frequency and ruthlessness with which the terrorists and bandits strike. Atiku Abubakar at different times has spoken about how dear the issue of insecurity is to him and highlighted a few of the steps he hopes to take to address the menace once he gets into office. He spoke about strengthening our security offices, improving our border control and investing in technology and surveillance equipments among others. He understands that human life is precious and is willing to do everything within his power to bring the problem if insecurity to an end. And he also believes that everyone has to be involved.
“Insecurity is a concurrent
issue that requires the involvement of all tiers of government for effective
management. The security challenges are peculiar to each region and as such
requires an all-inclusive approach,” he said. This is a man who has a
clear understanding of the enormity of the insecurity challenges facing our
nation and knows exactly how to go about tackling them.
Sadly, we all have to admit that Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today under the present Bola Tinubu administration. Nigerians no longer love each other nor trust each other, except if they are of same tribe or ethnic extraction. The bad blood and bitterness that became a shameful part of the 2023 presidential election triggered the unprecedented disunity and bigotry among Nigerians today. Every minute on social media, the Igbos, Hausas and the Yoruba are always at each others throats. The toxicity is frightening. The hatred directed towards one another is distressing. And again, the Tinubu administration just sits idly by and watches as this bitterness tears us apart. Atiku is the leader who has the capability to heal all wounds, set up proper reconciliation committee and reunite the country once again. He has both the experience and willpower to do this. Atiku is a bridge builder. He has raised men of substance across the many regions of the country. He is a detribalised Nigerian and he wears it proudly like a badge. He got married to women from three different parts of the country and today, he has children who Yoruba blood, Igbo blood and Fulani blood running through them. Call him the father of the nation and you won’t be wrong. But let us not miss the poignant message here – this is a man who understands what it is to lead a united Nigeria, rather than preside over a divided and hateful Nigeria.
It is up to Nigerians to decide who they want as their new president come 2027 when the presidential election holds. Unlike in the past when politicians get them easily swayed by lies and vote buying, there are clear indications that things will be different this time. Nigerians are crying out like they have never done before. They want a change, a leader that will come in and show true leadership. They want a President who will be the president of all Nigerians, not one that only looks out for his cronies and kinsmen alone. And Atiku Abubakar is the one man that fits the bill in every respect. No matter some people might say or think, Nigeria needs Atiku Abubalkar now more than ever before. If we miss him as president of the federal republic of Nigeria come 2027, then it will be too late for Nigeria…
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