of course he can, he is charismatic, very intelligent and has shown himself to be a consumate politician. He has gone to the courts to enforce his rights at every juncture and won, If he didn't fall out with Obj so badly he would have been the automatic choice for the next president. unfortunately his energies have been highly dissipated by the endless battles with INEC and Obj.

IF he had been campaigning without the threat of disqualification over his head, then yes. even with that, IF the elections are truly fair, it could be very close.

so he is finished politically?

I don't think so, since he fought all the cases of corruption and had them nullified, he is still a big force, the best strategy for him is to keep his structures in place and keep himself visible, in 2011 he might yet have his Presidency.

the man is as dead as "dodo"

Yaradua will be in for a hell of 4yrs.

There will be court cases from court cases.

He will be so stressed thin, that your guess is as good as mine.

lets wait and see - Olu Falae did more than that.

Olu Falae didnt do much, he was obviously clearly beaten, so was Buhari last time

this time, if free and fair, it will be a much closer race, but Yar'adua will clinch it.

If Buhari contested on 03 and again now and is not dead, why do you think a man with very wide following and deep political experience like Atiku will be 'dead like a dodo'?

Just like Obj did, you're underestimating Atiku

atiku that will soon rot in jail? barawo!

on what charge? all the 4 yrs EFCC investigation only came up with a shabby report that has been rejected in court.

He's not going to any jail, that threat may work on the thieving guv'nors but not on Atiku - you're gonna need an iron-clad case against him, and judging from the court cases so far, there is no such evidence against him.

the cloak of immunity will soon be removed and his noise will stop! watch this space. he has been found wanting by all investigative panels. what more do you want?

@debosky,

You may be underestimating the sympathies he is getting from the courts as the serving VP.
He may not be that lucky should the EFCC choose to go after him once he loses his immunity.
While that may not happen, whether he is finished politcally or not all depends on how Yar Adua
(if he is the winner) performs in the next 4 years. Obviously, if Nigerians are pleased with his
performance, they may be willing to give him another 4 years.

One thing for certain, Atiku's purse has certainly become thinner this past months and its safe
to assume that kickbacks and contracts from a PDP led government is a thing of the past. His
deep pockets has greatly helped him to maintain his base, whether he is able to maintain this
in the years ahead is a whole different matter. Nigerian politicians usually drift to the highest
bidders. . .

Why should he step down?

He has alot on his hands by ridiculing the presidency. The Office Not the President.

the EFCC and Obj lack the imagination or intelligence to come up with serious charges against him, all the claims that have been made have been strruck down in court, and will not stand, this is because of the weak evidence, not any sympathy from the courts. Even with immunity the govt has tried to use the back door to get Atiku, but he's too smart for that. The truth is, unless some smoking gun evidence surfaces on Atiku, nothing will happen, he will simply return to his businesses and contest again in 2011. If all they could come up with in 4 yrs was simply 'wrong decision to place funds' which holds no water in court, I dont see what they will come up with now that will 'nail' Atiku.

Mr Atiku is never a greedy person. Learn to understand him.