I recall that one day, after an especially vile quarrel I had with Obasanjo over the frustration of the privatization of Nigeria Airways, I came to a point at which I had seriously considered resigning from the BPE. When I walked into Atiku’s office, and while standing up expressed my frustration and intentions, he motioned for me to sit down.
“Where are you going? You can’t leave,” he said. “We are about to have the whole thing”.
I was taken aback and I was not sure what he meant.
“What do you mean sir?”
He told me about a marabout in Cameroon who had been in touch with him since the very first time he contested for state governor in his home state of Gongola, now Adamawa and Taraba States. At the time, the marabout had told him not to waste his time because he was not going to win and he lost. The second time he tried, the soothsayer told him he was going to lose, and lo and behold, he lost again. The third time he attempted to be governor, so the story goes, the marabout told him he was going to win the election but he was not going to actually become the governor. And so it came to pass. Atiku won the election, but before he could take office, Obasanjo chose him to be his running mate. On the strength of this fable, Atiku appeared to have placed his faith in the predictions of this marabout.
“Nasir, this ‘mallam’ has been consistently right in his predictions.”
“Wow, that is very interesting sir, but what does this have to do with my resignation?”
“Because the same mallam said Obasanjo will not complete his first term.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So why do you want to go? When I am president, we are going to take charge of this place and fix it and I will need you. You are one of my best people.”
Personally, I do not believe in all this marabout stuff, though many people I know do. After Atiku shared this momentous prediction with me, what could I do? My hands were effectively tied from taking any immediate action. So I said, “Fine Mr. Vice president, I will hang in there.” One must never underestimate the effect of both Islamic and Christian spiritualists on African politicians. For instance, at the height of the Obasanjo-Atiku feud between 2005 and 2006, Uba Sani, my friend and special assistant to Obasanjo on Public Communications, shared a one-page list of predictions by a mallam purportedly obtained from Atiku’s camp, predicting that Obasanjo will die in March 2007, with Atiku being sworn in as President. With all this floating around, it is easy for the unwary to become intoxicated, and for vaulting ambition to prevail over common sense.

Heromaniaa:
With all this floating around, it is easy for the unwary to become intoxicated, and for vaulting ambition to prevail over common sense.

Reminds me of Macbeth and the prophecy of The three witches. The lure of power, Greed and evil Ambition will destroy this country faster than bokoharam and corruption put together. We need God's intervention.

modath:


You are a literati? Sums up Atiku to a T !!!

Atiku cannot differentiate between deus ex machina & manipulating one's way to glory!!

In his warped mind, the end will justify the means.


Cc henovy ..

Pidggin:
GEJ remains the only man that entered Asorock without shedding blood

Babacele:
tell that to Gen Azazi, ex gov Patrick Yakowa, victims of 2011 post election violence, the hundreds of soldiers killed as a result of Dasukigate, victims of the assasination attempt on PMB in kaduna in 2014, several Petie instigated deaths in okrika in Rivers during the campaigns ,several innocent folks that lost their lives in pre n during elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom as the fed gov looked away etc, leadership comes with responsibility .

modath:


You are a literati? Sums up Atiku to a T !!!

Atiku cannot differentiate between deus ex machina & manipulating one's way to glory!!

In his warped mind, the end will justify the means.


Cc henovy ..

Henovy:

Some people are just overambitious. They do not want Godswill to be done. Herein lies one of the disadvantages of prophesy. If the guy just did his job well and continued to be loyal, who knows, his destiny to become president would have materialized.

jamesharryson:
I pity anyone who buys this story of Atiku this and Atiku that from Buhari and his men. In case you don't know, this is one of the strategies Buhari wants to use and bring down his closest opponent come 2019. why didn't Mr El-Rufai say this for so long? why is he saying it now? Why is the media publish this crab now after their visit to Aso Rock? "My people perish for lack of knowledge". I pray you also will not perish for lack of knowledge of what Buhari is up to. El rufai is planning to be either the presidential or vice presidential flag bearer come 2019, that is why he is doing so much in this. Please someone should help me tell them to concentrate and do the works they were voted for and leave cheap blackmails for now.

LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

jamesharryson:
I pity anyone who buys this story of Atiku this and Atiku that from Buhari and his men. In case you don't know, this is one of the strategies Buhari wants to use and bring down his closest opponent come 2019. why didn't Mr El-Rufai say this for so long? why is he saying it now? Why is the media publish this crab now after their visit to Aso Rock? "My people perish for lack of knowledge". I pray you also will not perish for lack of knowledge of what Buhari is up to. El rufai is planning to be either the presidential or vice presidential flag bearer come 2019, that is why he is doing so much in this. Please someone should help me tell them to concentrate and do the works they were voted for and leave cheap blackmails for now.

LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Aviero:


Oboi! You dull no be small.. Dafuq are you talking about?

The book was originally published in 2013.

YOU HAVE PERISHED ALREADY.