RACE TO 2023 PRESIDENCY: ATIKU ABUBAKAR

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has been referred to in some quarters as a serial contestant for Nigeria’s most coveted political seat. He has unsuccessfully vied for the presidency five times, but has only made it to the ballot twice, emerging as the first runner-up in the 2019 presidential election, with a sizeable 41.2% of the total accredited votes.

Hate him or love him, he is by no means a pushover. Two salient narratives working against him this time around are his age and the issue of zoning. So would this be ‘sixth time lucky’?

Although he is in the camp of those who are still weighing political permutations and are yet to openly join the contest, we decided to give you our “10 Must Knows” about him. Enjoy.

1. Born on 25th November, 1946, (Age 75), Atiku Abubakar was born in Jada, (formerly of British Cameroons territory), Adamawa State.

2. After two diploma degrees in Nigeria, in 2021, he went on to bag a Master’s degree in International Relations at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, U.K.

3. He worked with the Nigeria Customs Service for twenty years (1969 – 1989) rising to the position of deputy director before retiring at an early age into private business and politics.

4. Atiku’s business interests span across real estate, education, manufacturing, agriculture and transportation. While still a customs officer, he partnered an Italian businessman to establish a logistics company, Nigeria Container Services (NICOTES), which would later be rebranded as INTELS, an oil servicing business operating both locally and internationally, from which he amassed immense wealth.

5. From the early 80s, Atiku had featured prominently in mainstream politics, before finally winning the Adamawa guber election in 1998. As fate goes, he was never sworn in because he had to join forces with Olusegun Obasanjo, as running mate, to contest the 1999 presidential election, which they won.

6. His eight-year vice-presidency under Obasanjo was harmonious until the twilight of their tenure, as he became embroiled in a public fallout with his principal over the latter’s plans to impose a third term on Nigerians.

7. It is alleged that in 2008, Atiku and his (then) fourth wife, Jennifer were implicated by the U.S. government in a case of fraudulent movement of funds amounting to US$40 million over a period of eight years through offshore accounts. Instead of accepting summons to appear in court, they bailed out of the U.S., and were eventually denied visas. To debunk this allegation, in 2019, Atiku embarked on a trip to the U.S. and has consistently labelled them as recycled lies as he has never been charged by the U.S. government.

8. In 2017, he was decorated with the chieftaincy title, Waziri of Adamawa, and his son conferred with his previous title of Turaki.

9. With a net worth of about $1.8 billion, he easily features on the list of Nigeria’s wealthiest politicians.

10. He is a Muslim and has somehow managed not to exceed the statutory four wives his beliefs permit. The best word which we can use to describe Atiku’s marital status is ‘detribalized’. His wives (present and former) are well spread geo-politically with a Moroccan also spotlighting the list; all sharing 29 children with him.

QUOTE
“It is my desire to run for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not because I have a bag full of promises but because I am prepared to lead.”
- Atiku Abubakar

Allow this man to enjoy his remaining loot in peace

Atiku Saraki Kwankwanso,

Make your choice ..

Power returns North.

Frigga13:
Atiku Saraki Kwankwanso,

Make your choice ..

Power returns North.

If wishes were horses