₦airaland Forum

Voluntary weekly social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar

30.04.2017 - 07.05.2017

Saraki, Atiku, Wike congratulate Egbemode, NGE

http://thenationonlineng.net/saraki-atiku-wike-congratulate-egbemode-nge/

Atiku To NGE: Partner With Present Administration

http://niyitabiti.net/2017/05/atiku-to-nge-partner-with-present-administration/

Onukaba: I am the hope of my people, by Adeolu Akande

http://theeagleonline.com.ng/onukaba-i-am-the-hope-of-my-people-by-adeolu-akande/

Good governance, development: Notes on Nigeria, by Atiku Abubakar

http://theeagleonline.com.ng/good-governance-development-notes-on-nigeria-by-atiku-abubakar/

Human actors responsible for bad governance — Atiku

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/human-actors-responsible-for-bad-governance-atiku/195893.html

Atiku: EFCC Should be Under Management of the National Assembly

https://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/atiku-efcc-should-be-under-management-of-the-national-assembly.237960/

Jibrilla Bindow To Receive Most Performing Governor Of The Year Award

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2017/05/jibrilla-bindow-to-receive-most-performing-governor-of-the-year-award/

Atiku backs Calls for Establishment of State Police, warns against Inter-Agency Rivalry

https://naija247news.com/2017/05/01/atiku-backs-calls-for-establishment-of-state-police-warns-against-inter-agency-rivalry/

Why I was almost sacked as Customs officer – Atiku

http://dailypost.ng/2017/05/04/almost-sacked-customs-officer-atiku/

I surrounded myself with best brains as Nigeria’s Vice President ―Atiku

http://tribuneonlineng.com/i-surrounded-best-brains-nigerias-vice-president-―atiku/


Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

The following are my voluntary weekly social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar

24.04.2017 - 01.05.2017

Atiku, Ngige: he left a big void in Southwest’s politics

http://thenationonlineng.net/atiku-ngige-left-big-void-southwests-politics/

Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, APC, Tinubu, Atiku, Aregbesola, mourn Adeleke

http://m.guardian.ng/news/buhari-saraki-dogara-apc-tinubu-atiku-aregbesola-mourn-adeleke/

Stop blaming others for lack of development in North – Atiku

http://punchng.com/stop-blaming-others-for-lack-of-development-in-north-atiku/

Nigeria’s current system not working – Atiku

http://dailypost.ng/2017/04/27/nigerias-current-system-not-working-atiku/

Borishade: I’ve lost a dear friend, says Atiku

http://www.nan.ng/news/atiku/

Challenge of unity, diversity, national development: Nigeria at crossroads, by Atiku Abubakar

http://theeagleonline.com.ng/challenge-of-unity-diversity-national-development-nigeria-at-crossroads-by-atiku-abubakar/

Atiku’s group donates relief materials to Ondo school

http://thenationonlineng.net/atikus-group-donates-relief-materials-ondo-school/

Colonial masters major cause of Nigeria’s woes ―Atiku

https://tribuneonlineng.com/colonial-masters-major-cause-nigerias-woes-―atiku/

4 reasons Nigeria is not making progress - Atiku Abubakar

Https://www.naij.com/1101839-4-reasons-nigeria-making-progress-atiku-abubakar.html


Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

Voluntary weekly social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar.


09.04.2017 - 16.04.2017


Atiku Abubakar To Receive All Time Award

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2017/04/atiku-abubakar-to-receive-all-time-award/


Atiku, El-Rufai, Olojede, Shettima, others praise PREMIUM TIMES over Panama Papers Pulitzer Prize win

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/228680-atiku-el-rufai-olojede-shettima-others-praise-premium-times-panama-papers-pulitzer-prize-win.html/amp


Atiku Abubakar Visits Najib Razak, prime Minister Of Malaysia.

https://www.nairaland.com/3733959/atiku-abubakar-visits-najib-razak


Easter: Atiku stresses love, sacrifice

http://theeagleonline.com.ng/easter-atiku-stresses-love-sacrifice/


Easter: APC, Atiku seek support for FG

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/easter-apc-atiku-seek-support-for-fg/193712.html


Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

The Board of Directors and Custodians of the Hall of Grace (HoG) Awards has unveiled the awardees for the 2017 edition of the HoG Awards. Speaking at a Press Briefing as it is customary with the HoG international, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Custodian of HoG, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa who was flanked by the Head of Project and Director of Media, Mr. Julius Taiwo and Mr. Kenneth Okafor told the press that this year’s ceremony would be an absolutely unique one as the Awards will for the very first time in its sever- year history give out an ALL TIME AWARD. ‘I am here to address you, gentlemen of the press today as we normally do when we are close to the annual HoG Awards Ceremony.’

‘This year’, he continues ‘we shall be giving out an ALL TIME AWARD and I am pleased to announce to you that the awardee or recipient of our all-time award is His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria. For the first time there was a unanimous agreement by Board Members to honor him for his many strides in Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar is one name that resonates in Nigeria but only very few people know that he was actively involved in the quest to return the nation to democracy during the pre-99 era. During his time as Vice President, he headed the economic team of President Olusegun Obasanjo led Federal government, during which time he helped establish bi-national ties that helped grow our GDP. Let me also mention that he was a major player in the botched third term agenda which would have spelt doom for our democracy as well as helping to save the democratic institution severally’ Ojenuwa said.

The CEO added in reply to one of the questions thrown at him, ‘Only those who want to play politics with the truth will argue the fact that Atiku Abubakar has greatly contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria’s democracy and since the HoG Organization isn’t a political one, we are free to say the truth the way it is.

On other awardees for the day, he said since the 7th anniversary of the HoG Awards which is scheduled to hold on the 21st of May at the Civic Center, Lagos was dedicated to Celebrating Democracy, the organization has picked three governors, one from the North, another from the South and the third from the Central plain who will also be celebrated for delivering dividends of democracy to the nation. The CEO revealed further: “We shall issue a press release on them next week. Other awardees of the day include Wilma Aguele and Waheed Olagunju who will be honored for their excellent strides in Agriculture and in Bank of Industry, BoI. These people are simply phenomenal.”

You will recall that the HoG Awards was inaugurated in 2009 under the Grand Custosdianship of a former honorable Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele. The HoG has a Deputy Grand Custodian and Chief Validating Officer, Prof. Dupe Olatubosun and Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi respectively. Its Board is littered with several distinguished Nigerians and has since inception honored people like Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina of AfDB, Babatunde Fashola, Dr, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Sen. Kwankwaso, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Captain Idris Wada, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and a host of others.

Former VP & chieftain of APC, Atiku Abubakar @atiku on courtesy visit to PM of Malaysia, Najib Razak @NajibRazak in Kuala Lumpur @AtikuOrg https:///osXRL86WLJ

Your Excellency Sir,

The following are my voluntary weekly social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar.


Atiku expresses concern over death toll from meningitis, condoles with families
http://theeagleonline.com.ng/atiku-expresses-concern-over-death-toll-from-meningitis-condoles-with-families/

Gowon, Babangida, Atiku, Others to Grace Anya’s Birthday Dinner
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/04/07/gowon-babangida-atiku-others-to-grace-anyas-birthday-dinner/

Atiku wants concerted efforts to stop meningitis

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/atiku-wants-concerted-efforts-to-stop-meningitis/192402.html

Governor Bindow may leave APC, we wish Atiku well in 2019 – Adamawa Chief of Staff
http://dailypost.ng/2017/04/07/governor-bindow-may-leave-apc-wish-atiku-well-2019-adamawa-chief-staff/

PEREGRINO BRIMAH: UNFROZEN $6 MILLION- WHY I REJOICE WITH PATIENCE JONATHAN

HTTPS://YNAIJA.COM/PEREGRINO-BRIMAH-UNFROZEN-6-MILLION-I-REJOICE-PATIENCE-JONATHAN/


Flashpoint: APC, A Party In Power And Opposition
https://www.leadership.ng/news/580405/flash-point-apc-a-party-in-power-and-oppositionoint-apc-a-party-in-power-and-opposition


Free secondary education, way to go for Northern Nigeria, by Atiku Abubakar
http://theeagleonline.com.ng/free-secondary-education-way-to-go-for-northern-nigeria-by-atiku-abubakar/




Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

The following are the weekly social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar.


I opened fire on Atiku for running down Obasanjo’s government – Ali
http://punchng.com/i-opened-fire-on-atiku-for-running-down-obasanjos-government-ali/


Ex - senator; Atiku, Ganduje not plotting formation of new party
https://www.thecable.ng/ex-senator-lies-atiku-ganduje-not-plotting-formation-new-party


2019: What Is Atiku Bringing To The Table?
https://leadership.ng/features/577896/2019-what-is-atiku-bringing-to-the-table


2019: ‘Nobody can stop ex-VP from contesting in 2019,’ Group says
http://pulse.ng/politics/atiku-nobody-can-stop-ex-vp-from-contesting-in-2019-group-says-id6398818.html


Atiku Endorses Naija Green Card
https://leadership.ng/news/578328/atiku-endorses-naija-green-card

Atiku Condemns Killings at Zaki Biam
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/23/atiku-condmns-killings-at-zaki-biam/

ANALYSIS: Four times crisis-ridden PDP survived major turmoil that nearly consumed it
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/227112-analysis-four-times-crisis-ridden-pdp-survived-major-turmoil-nearly-consumed.html

2019: What Is Atiku Bringing To The Table?
https://leadership.ng/features/577896/2019-what-is-atiku-bringing-to-the-table

It’s all lies… Atiku, Ganduje not plotting formation of new party
https://www.thecable.ng/ex-senator-lies-atiku-ganduje-not-plotting-formation-new-party



Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

H.E. @atiku receiving Naija Green Card, branded T-shirt from initiator of NGC, Hon. Abimbola Daramola, at his residence in Abuja @AtikuOrg https:///4rYXIqtXyM

H.E. @Atiku Abubakar in a group photograph with a delegation from Modern Kwari Market Association, Kano State at his residence in Abuja https:///RaqCoj6sZM

H.E. @atiku received in audience NEC of Bwatiye Community Development.

The following are my voluntary weekly social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar.

2019: 300, 000 Youths Throw Weight Behind Atiku’s Presidential Ambition
https://www.leadership.ng/news/576902/2019-300-000-youths-throw-weight-behind-atikus-presidential-ambition

Atiku Endows Education Fund For Onukaba’s Children

https://leadership.ng/news/577270/atiku-endows-education-fund-for-onukabas-children
Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar visits Delta state
https://politics.naij.com/1093607-ex-vice-president-atiku-abubakar-visits-delta-state.html

H.E @atiku conferred with D.Sc (Honoris Causa), at maiden convocation of FUPRE, Effurun, Delta State.

https://www.nairaland.com/3682659/h.e-atiku-conferred-d.sc-honoris

2019: Kaduna youths storm Airport, declare support for Atiku

http://punchng.com/2019-kaduna-youths-storm-airport-declare-support-for-atiku/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Atiku's presidential ambition gets huge nod as Kaduna youths storm Airport to receive him

https://www.naij.com/1093739-atikus-presidential-ambition-huge-nod-kaduna-youths-storm-airport-receive-hi.html

Atiku ya malaki ‘Doctorate Degree’ na kimiyya daga Effurun jihar Dalta (HOTUNA

https://hausa.naij.com/1093759-atiku-ya-malaki-doctorate-degree-na-kimiyya-daga-effurun-jihar-dalta-hotuna.html

Atiku Abubakar bags doctorate degree of science

https://www.naij.com/1093751-atiku-abubakar-bags-doctorate-degree-science.html

Buhari, Atiku seek end to reliance on foreigners in petroleum sector
http://m.guardian.ng/news/buhari-atiku-seek-end-to-reliance-on-foreigners-in-petroleum-sector/
AGAIN, ATIKU ON RESTRUCTURING

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/16/again-atiku-on-restructuring/

Titi Atiku charges women on reshaping the nation

https://www.niyitabiti.net/2017/03/titi-atiku-abubakar-charges-women-on-reshaping-the-nation/

2019: kwankwaso accuses Atiku, Gands-head-rudolf-ogoo-okonkwoy

https://politics.naij.com/1093927-kwankwaso-accuses-atiku-abubakar-ganduje-plotting-a-party-fight-2019.html

2019 Election: Inside Bola Tinubu’s Head By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

http://saharareporters.com/2017/03/14/2019-election-inside-bola-tinubu’s-head-rudolf-ogoo-okonkwo
‎Hanga chides Kwankwaso, says Atiku, Ganduje not forming new Party

https://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2017/03/%E2%80%8Ehanga-chides-kwankwaso-says-atiku-ganduje-not-forming-new-party/

2019: Group Urges 40 Political Parties To Zone Presidency To North East, VP To South East
https://www.leadership.ng/news/577739/2019-group-urges-40-political-parties-to-zone-presidency-to-north-east-vp-to-south-east

2019: Who Can Stop Atiku?
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/18/2019-who-can-stop-atiku/


Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been a guest of many prominent political, traditional and religious leaders across the country in the past few weeks.Iyobosa Uwugiaren examines the strategic, political moves

Even the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari knew long time ago that the former Vice-President and one of the founders of All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is a man to watch out for in the emerging political calculations, for 2019 presidential election. And apparently aware of his intimidating political structures across the nation, those with similar tall ambition have consistently built wedges on his way.

But trust him: Atiku has continued to walk along the blustery, stormy political pathway.

A senior presidential aide recently told THISDAY how at the early days of the present administration—-in 2015, the former Vice-President approached Buhari with ‘’a solid economic blueprint’’—detailing how the country could immediately absolved the shock of the fall of oil price in the global market—that has consistently threatened the economy of Nigeria in the last one year. Oil accounts for about 95 per cent of the nation’s foreign earnings, and by extension, the livewire of the nation’s economy.

Atiku was said to have comprehensively came up with a plan—how the administration could create a ‘’competitive market’’ that will attract the big foreign investment players into the country—assurances that their proposed billions of dollars investments in the country would be saved.

‘’Atiku’s economic blueprint, which contains detail policies and implementation strategies was handed over to the President. And President Muhammadu Buhari was initially pleased with the suggestion’’, the presidency source added.

‘’But few weeks later, some political hawks around the president strongly advised him not to allow Atiku Abubakar to use his indirect means to bring into country his billions of dollars. The fear of these political hawks was that the former Vice-President will use the huge fund to fight him in the 2019 presidential election.’’

The result of that advice was what the former Vice-President (Africa) of The World Bank, Dr. Obey Ezekwesilse, described as ‘’opaque, archaic and ambiguous foreign exchange rate policy’’ that have compounded the nation’s economic recession.

The assertion of the source is that it was the fear of Atiku that forced Buhari to adopt such very devastating economic policy.

In spite of the fear of Atiku, many political analysts said that the on-going political conversations and calculations are pointing to fact the Adamawa born politician will be part of the strong political choices Nigerians would have to make in 2019.

Like the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-rufai noted recently—in his spiteful statement, the former Vice-President has long started his presidential campaign, ahead of the 2019.

To be sure, in the last few months, Atiku has been a special guest of many prominent politicians, traditional rulers, religious and influential groups across the nation, in what an insider described as ‘’strategic political moves’’ to reactivate his political structures across the country.

The insiders told THISDAY that already, some very powerful political forces and groups, including many loyalists of Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Head of States General Ibrahim Babangida; Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, and groups of both former and serving governors are in different secret political conversations with Atiku, who is reputed to have sauntered into the fourth republic with huge measured quantity of democratic credentials.

THISDAY gathered that the calculation is based on the conspicuous signs that the ailing President Buhari will not re-contest and the need for the core north to present a formidable candidate who will be acceptable to the six geo-political zones, taking into consideration the burning ethno-religious and political question in the country.

For many of his followers, Atiku has established himself as a democrat immediately he left the public service and became a political devotee of late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, an acclaimed great political tactician that flounced the country like a hurricane.

His political history is legendary: a politician, businessman and philanthropist, he was born on November 25, 1946, and in the beginning of his national political career, served as the second elected Vice-President from 1999 to 2007—-under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Atiku worked in the Nigeria Customs Service for 24 years, rising to become the Deputy-Comptroller-General. He retired in 1989 and took up full-time business and politics. He ran for the office of Governor in the Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba States) in 1991; and for the presidency in 1993, coming third after MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe in the disbanded Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries.

In 1998 he contested and won the Governor of Adamawa State. And while still governor-elect he was picked by the PDP Presidential candidate Olusegun Obasanjo as his running mate. They went into the election and won in 1999.

As documented by historian, Atiku’s second term as Vice-President was characterised by a squally relationship with Obasanjo. His attempt to succeed Obasanjo did not receive the latter’s support, and it took the judgement of the Supreme Court to allow him to contest in 2007—-after he was initially disqualified by the Independent National Electoral Commission over an alleged financial misconduct by a ‘’discredited’’ investigating panel set up by Obasanjo.

The apex court later ordered the electoral commission to restore Atiku’s name onto the presidential ballot and he ran on the platform of the Action Congress, having quit the PDP on account of his issues with Obasanjo. Expectedly, he lost the election, coming third after late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari of the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

As a ‘’consummated’’ businessman, Atiku is a co-founder of Intels—-an oil servicing business with wide-ranging operations across the country and outside the country. He is also the founder of Adama Beverages Limited, and the American University of Nigeria (AUN), both in Yola, the Adamawa state capital.

Born to an itinerant Fulani trader and farmer Garba Abubakar, the former Vice-President was said to have started out in the real estate business during his early days as a Customs Officer. History has it that in 1974 he applied for and received a N31,000 loan to build his first house in Yola, which he put up for rent. From proceeds of the rent he was reportedly to have purchased another plot, and built a second house. He was said to have continued that way, building a considerable range of property in Yola.

Apparently very go-getting in investment, he was said to have later moved into agriculture, acquiring 2,500 hectares of land near Yola to start a maize and cotton farm. The business fell on hard times and closed in 1986. “My first foray into agriculture, in the 1980s, ended in failure,” he was quoted as saying.

Later venturing into trading, buying and selling truckloads of rice, flour and sugar, Atiku’s most important business move was to have come while he was a Customs Officer at the Apapa Ports. One Gabrielle Volpi, an Italian businessman in Nigeria, was said to have invited him to set up Nigeria Container Services (NICOTES), a logistics company operating within the Ports. Those who know him very well said that NICOTES provide immense wealth to Atiku.

Atiku’s first expedition into politics was in the early 1980s, when he worked behind-the-scenes on the governorship campaign of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who at that time was managing director of the Nigeria Ports Authority. He canvassed for votes on behalf of Tukur, and also donated to the campaign. Towards the end of his Customs career, he met late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who had been second-in-command of the military government that ruled Nigeria between 1976 and 1979. Atiku was drawn by Yar’Adua into the political meetings that were now happening regularly in Yar’Adua’s Lagos home.

In 1989 Atiku was elected a National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Front of Nigeria, the political association led by Yar’Adua, to participate in the transition programme initiated by Babangida.

Atiku won a seat to represent his constituency at the 1989 Constituent Assembly, set up to decide a new constitution for Nigeria. The People’s Front was eventually denied registration by the government (none of the groups that applied was registered), and found a place within the Social Democratic Party, one of the two parties decreed into existence by the regime.

Many of his followers have said time without numbers that a ‘’tested hand’’ like Atiku is surely needed to coordinate the proper integration of the youths into the economic mainstream.

‘’He is the highest individual employer of labour in Nigeria and a believer in excellence. The truth that cannot be dismissed is that among those jostling to convince Nigerians for their votes in 2019, only the Turaki has experience in job creation. This is the choice Nigerian must make in 2019 without sentiment and pandering to the propaganda of surrogates of past failures’’, one of his followers said.

‘’The fragility of our mutual existence as a country cannot be over exaggerated. As a matter of fact, the erosion of our cultural, religious and social commonalities is an ever constant feature of the past two decades.

‘’There is need to undertake enormous reintegration of all divergent groups into a united country. Nobody can do it better than Atiku. He is a proven man of immense conviction and political muscles to navigate us to the destination of unity.’’

The argument is that Buhari came at a time he was needed to abridge the nation’s drift towards excessive insecurity and anarchy, and that Atiku is the man to build the country for the contentment and richness of all citizens of Nigeria.

But for sure, Atiku has Buhari’s gang and treacherous Obasanjo to battle with


https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/18/2019-who-can-stop-atiku/

Hundreds of youths on Tuesday, March 14, stormed the Kaduna International Airport to receive former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to a report on The Punch, the youth under the aegis of the Kaduna Articulated and Atikucare Foundation, declared their support for the ex-vice president ahead of the 2019 Presidential election.

Atiku's presidential ambition gets huge nod as Kaduna youths storm Airport to receive him
Atiku's presidential ambition gets huge nod as Kaduna youths storm Airport to receive him
It was gathered that Atiku was on his way to Abuja to see President Muhammadu Buhari, who arrived the country from medical vacation in the United Kingdom, when he was being received by the crowd.


Atiku, who could not resist the youths carrying placards, alighted from his car to attend to them.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards were ” Kaduna articulated‎” “Sai Atiku”, "we are in your support,” “Atiku 2019".

The youths later accompanied the vice president’s convoy ‎to his Kaduna residence where several other well wishers were on the ground to welcome him.


Recall that not fewer than 300,000 youths had pledged support for the presidential bid of Atiku.

The huge support comes from a group called Concerned Nigerian Youth Development Organisation (CNYDO), which has endorsed Atiku as the right man.


https://www.naij.com/1093739-atikus-presidential-ambition-huge-nod-kaduna-youths-storm-airport-receive-hi.html

H.E @atiku conferred with D.Sc (Honoris Causa), at maiden convocation of FUPRE, Effurun, Delta State @AtikuOrg https:///5PULtBqnJ5

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last Thursday, released time for 2019 general elections, over 300, 000 youths under the auspices of Concerned Nigerian Youth Development Organisation (CNYDO), declared their support and endorsement for former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2019 presidential race.

This was contained in statement released on Friday and signed by the national coordinator of the group comrade Joel Edegba, where he described Abubakar as man of the voiceless and downtrodden Nigerians.

The statement reads in part, “We in the Concerned Nigerian Youth Development Organisation, CNYDO, with over 300, 000 membership in 30 states have deemed it necessary to support and endorse former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, (Turakin Adamawa), as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come 2019 by the grace of God.

“We have carefully assessed the political ideology, track record, achievement and competence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as former Vice President and seen that he is the man that can bring the expected change in Nigeria.”

“We are endeared to his commitment demonstrated towards the welfare and well being of Nigerians that are down trodden and forgotten. We are assuring His Excellency our maximal support for his ambition and as part of his move to liberate Nigerians, the youths in particular from the shackles of unemployment, poverty, social vices and stagnated progress by ensuring that he is elected as Nigeria’s next President in 2019.

“Based on his political achievements, prudent management of human and material resources, a detribalised Nigerian, non-religious and non-region biased nature and understanding in approaching issues that affects the different ethnic and tribal groups in the country, we declare that Nigeria will be in safe hands of Atiku.”

Explaining the rationale and decision by CNYDO to declare its support for the Former Vice President, the statement further reads, “We fell in love with his passion for the ordinary Nigerians by extending his hand of love and compassion to them as he has given lifeline and hope to many Nigerians both known and unknown.

“We also discovered that Turaki has been a man who has thrown his weight behind the voice of the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria, and recently, passionately supported the call for restructuring of Nigeria and true federalism, which majority of Nigerians have been agitating for long time.”

According to the statement, the APC chieftain’s political ideology have been people based, by being centred on egalitarianism, giving back resources to the states for proper utilisation and development of their people and also for all to enjoy maximally what God has blessed them with.

The following are the weekly voluntary social media reports on H.E Atiku Abubakar.

05.03.2017 - 12.03.2017

Focus on Your Goals, Not Your Enemies

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/03/06/focus-on-your-goals-not-your-enemies/

Nigeria does not need ministers for agriculture, health, Atiku says
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/225339-nigeria-not-need-ministers-agriculture-health-atiku-says.html

Atiku Abubakar
Ex-VP mourns veteran Journalist, Ojo Onukaba

http://pulse.ng/local/atiku-abubakar-ex-vp-mourns-veteran-journalist-ojo-onukaba-id6327817.html

Why most politicians oppose restructuring of Nigeria – Atiku Abubakar
http://dailypost.ng/2017/03/07/politicians-oppose-restructuring-nigeria-atiku-abubakar

For Onukaba
http://m.guardian.ng/opinion/for-onukaba/

Osinbajo is a man of integrity – Atiku
http://dailypost.ng/2017/03/08/osinbajo-man-integrity-atiku/

Atiku mourns Adeyinka Adebayo
http://theeagleonline.com.ng/atiku-mourns-adeyinka-adebayo/

Atiku visits emir of Bauchi over suspension of Waziri Bello Kirfi

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/atiku-visits-emir-of-bauchi-over-suspension-of-waziri-bello-kirfi/188487.html#Hz0g04V2OuzjSbKr.99

Obasanjo's Missing Guests By Louis Odion

http://saharareporters.com/2017/03/09/obasanjos-missing-guests-louis-odion

Atiku pays condolence visit to late Adebayo’s family
https://www.niyitabiti.net/2017/03/atiku-pays-condolence-visit-to-late-adebayos-family/

‎PDP, APC, Atiku, others express joy at Buhari’s return
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/225829-%E2%80%8ELDO.html


Buhari’s return will end all conspiracy theories – Atiku
http://dailypost.ng/2017/03/10/buharis-return-will-end-conspiracy-theories-atiku/

Buhari, Atiku, others mourn Ogbemudia
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/225830-buhari-atiku-others-mourn-ogbemudia.html



Sulyman Suleiman
Twitter: @Mr_suleimman

H.E. @tiku on a condolence visit to family of late Maj. Gen. Adebayo. He was received by Mrs Modupe Adebayo and Niyi Adebayo @AtikuOrg

H.E. @atiku on a visit to Bauchi to reconcile Emir of Bauchi HRH (Dr) Rilwanu Adamu & Wazirin Bauchi Alh. Bello Kirfi @GovMAA @AtikuOrg

" Our progress as a nation is better assured when we empower our women to fulfill their socio-economic potential. Happy Women's Day #IWD2017."

" Our progress as a nation is better assured when we empower our women to fulfill their socio-economic potential. Happy Women's Day #IWD2017."

H.E. @atiku on a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Nigeria does not need ministers for agriculture, health, Atiku says.


HOME > LOCAL > ATIKU ABUBAKAR : EX-VP MOURNS VETERAN JOURNALIST, OJO ONUKABA
Atiku Abubakar
Ex-VP mourns veteran Journalist, Ojo Onukaba

Pulse News Agency Local By NAN | 21:41 | 06.03.2017
Atiku also described Ojo, who was his former spokesperson as an irreplaceable asset who was loyal and reliable.


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Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar (Atiku media office)
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the death of veteran Journalist, playwright, writer and academic, Mr Onukaba Ojo as shocking and painful beyond words.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Monday, the former Vice President, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said he had known Ojo for nearly three decades.

He described Ojo, who was his former spokesperson as an irreplaceable asset who was loyal and reliable until the very last day.

“Ojo was at my house on Friday, he visited me before travelling out of Abuja. I had no idea that it was the last time I would ever set eyes on him.

“He has little concern for material things, he is a pure intellectual, motivated only by a desire to give the best that his brains has to offer,’’ Atiku said.

Abubakar said Ojo over the years was an indispensable member of his media team and became his political protégé; and a man who boldly spoke the truth to him always.

The former vice president explained that an entire book of thousands of pages would be needed if he was to say everything that he thought and felt about his long-time friend, now gone forever.

He, however, prayed God to grant his family and particularly his children the grace to bear the loss.

Onukaba died at about 6pm on Sunday at Igbara-Oke near Akure, his death was confirmed to newsmen by one of his relations, Mr Yusuf Itopa.

Ojo, a former Managing Director of the Daily Times Nigeria Plc, died at the age of 57.

Speech by the Guest Speaker, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Annual Professor Ademola Popoola Public Lecture, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Monday 6th March, 2017.


Protocol:

Let me start by dispelling some myths that have been thrown around regarding the calls for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation.


1. It is a myth to say that we do not need restructuring, that all we need is good leadership. While leadership is critical, leaders also operate within structural and institutional constraints, which may impede or enhance their performance. Thus if you have a federal structure that encourages dependency while discouraging hard work, innovation, productivity and competition, your development as a nation will be less than optimal.
2. It is a myth to suggest or imply that changes in the structure of our federation are a silver bullet or magic wand that would solve all our problems. Our challenges are multi-faceted and the structure of the federation is only one of them, albeit a critical one. Restructuring itself will not automatically guarantee good governance. As a people we still have to demand good governance and accountability from our leaders.


The organizers of this lecture wanted my speech to explore “the constitutional and political framework for reconstructing Nigeria for true federalism and national integration.” That topic brings me to the third myth about restructuring.


3. “True federalism” is a myth. Federal systems are works-in-progress, and vary from one another according to their specific historical, socio-economic and political conditions. Ultimately people agree on the kind of federal system they will have, and be prepared to make necessary changes if it does not serve them well.


Let me also say that there’s nothing wrong in people agitating for what they see as a better federal system. In fact the perennial debates and agitations by federating units for improved position within a federal structure is the hallmark of a living, breathing federal system. We need not vilify those who disagree with us or treat them as less patriotic or even as felons.


I am a businessman and politician. So my remarks will be informed by what I see as the political and economic imperatives of restructuring. I will leave the matter of constitutional framework for constitutional lawyers and for a future gathering of leaders who would work out the details of the needed restructuring. Even at that, I will show that our current constitution does indeed concentrate too much power and resources at the centre, which has, in my view, impeded national development, security, peace and stability. At some point our leaders and representatives will come together, discuss and work out a framework for restructuring our federation in order to renew it to serve our people better.


The restructuring that I have been calling for involves changes to the allocation of powers, responsibilities and resources among the states or zones and between them and the federal government. I do not see local governments as federating units and, therefore, they should not derive their powers from the constitution. Likewise ethnic nationalities are not federating units and any attempt to restructure the country along those lines will be unworkable. Some of our roughly 300 ethnic nationalities are big enough to constitute independent countries while some are too small to even constitute local government areas.


Dependency and Mistrust:
If we cut out all the sophistry, posturing and pretensions, it is clear to me that the resistance against restructuring is based on three interrelated factors, namely dependency, fear and mistrust. Dependency of all segments of the country on oil revenues, fear of loss of oil revenues by non-oil producing states or regions and mistrust of the motives of those angling for restructuring. This can be seen in the regional patterns of the advocacy for and opposition to restructuring. The bulk of the calls for restructuring comes from the south while the bulk of the opposition to it comes from the north. This tells me that it will be critical for all parties to put their cards on the table, give one another the necessary reassurances and make the necessary compromises in order to secure a restructuring deal. Denials and insults by both sides are not a substitute for these.


Although arguments against restructuring come mostly from the North, there are, however, elements from the other regions who are in government and who argue against restructuring, claiming that it is only good leadership (ostensibly theirs) that is needed to resolve our nation’s challenges. Opponents also argue that restructuring is a ploy to break up the country. They insist that national unity is non-negotiable and claim that the matter has been resolved by the civil war. How the current structure is the only guarantee of unity is never really explained, neither is it demonstrated that devolving more powers and resources to federating units would lead to a breakup of the country.


Why Restructure?
While those calling for restructuring may be driven by different motives there is certainly a strong case for restructuring our federation. My reasons are simply that the current structure, which concentrates too much power and resources in the centre, makes us economically unproductive, uncompetitive, indolent, and politically weak, disunited and unstable. It has made our component units too suspicious of one another, a suspicion that makes any rational discussion very difficult. This structure, which can be called “unitary federalism”, does not serve the country or any section well. It rests on the foundation of dependence on oil revenues, which seem to be in long-term decline and is, therefore, unsustainable. And a country remains united in the long term only because the component units believe that it is in their interest to remain part of the country, that there are important things that they get from remaining part of the country than not. Leaders from across the country acknowledged this and gave voice to it in the last political conference held in 2014, whatever the motivations for convening the conference at the time.


How We Got Here and the Way Out
I will briefly remind us of how we got to our current inhibiting structure. I will then suggest steps needed to get us towards a more robust federal system that will enhance the capacity of our federating units to optimize their ability to provide for their people’s security and welfare.


In the First Republic the constituent regions in our federation raised and retained the bulk of their revenues, mostly from agriculture and with those tried to meet their obligations. They provided security with their police forces, built roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and provided scholarships and, of course, paid their employees, including civil servants, teachers and health service workers. Then came oil, military regimes, the civil war, and measures that progressively centralized and concentrated more powers and resources at the centre.


The regions would have staunchly resisted this power grab by the federal government were we not under a military regime, in which the governors were mere military appointees who may not even be working in the states of their origin. Also the country had seen the prospects of, and become dependent on, oil revenues. And the oil revenues came largely from the Niger Delta, a numerical and political minority.


We have become so accustomed to the current structure and addicted to oil money that even the most reasonable among us still cling to a belief that what we currently have is the most beneficial and is immutable. Nothing can be further from the truth. This is a federal system that has fostered dependence on revenues derived mainly from three states and is characterized by excessive centralization and concentration of power and resources, and intense political competition, and political instability. Today regional gatherings are usually about grievances and how to get more from the central pool of resources but hardly about how to produce and contribute to increasing those resources.


While there is no ideal federal system to which every federating country has to aspire, there are better working federal systems from which to draw lessons. We modelled our current federal system after the US, but seem to have avoided the critical elements that make the American system function better: greater autonomy for federating states and individuals, and mistrust of leaders entrusted with power. America’s is a system that fosters individual freedom, productivity, competition and innovation, and strong institutional checks on power wielders.


In particular, the founding fathers of the US knew that human beings, especially leaders, like to accumulate power as much as they can. So in order to protect and guarantee freedoms for citizens from rampaging egomaniacs, the leaders’ powers needed to be limited; the central government needed to be restrained in favour of the federating states. Thus the first ten Amendments to the US Constitution, collectively called the Bill of Rights, offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and restricts the powers of government. The bulk of the seventeen subsequent amendments expand individual civil rights protections, while the rest deal with federal authority or modify government processes and procedures. The Tenth Amendment is of particular interest for our discussion here. It states that powers not delegated to the Federal Government and not denied the states, belong to the states or to the people.


Note that the US constitution is only 4 pages (of parchment) long, with only seven articles, excluding the subsequent amendments. Those seven articles include an outline of the national frame of government, entrenchment of the doctrine of separation of powers, concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments and of the states in relation to the federal government, as well the procedures for ratifying the document by the states. It is critical to understand that it is the states that came together to delegate some powers to the central government (on matters that they deem best served by a central government).


In contrast, our 1999 Constitution, specifically Section 7, has 83 federal legislative items as against 15 for the states (which the Federal Government can also override). I do not know of any well-functioning federal system in the world that has that kind of lopsided central dominance.


Only our First Republic Constitution came close to the US’s Constitution in terms of the process of federal constitution-making and allocation of powers between the federating units and the federal government. Subsequent efforts have been ones where military leaders amended the constitution through decrees, and, when our peoples’ representatives were involved, set the parameters and redlines that could not be crossed by “we the people.” With eyes firmly set on oil revenues rather than diverse economic activities, and a mindset that saw any push for greater autonomy for regions as a threat to national unity, the efforts resulted in excessive centralization of power and concentration of economic resources at the federal level. For as long as oil flowed and revenues remained high, few people seemed to mind. Thus, our governments walked away from preceding sources of government revenues. Rather than clamour for more productivity and improvements in human resource development, we clamoured for and got more states and local governments.


We even had the awkward situation where the federal government created local governments and continues to allocate resources directly to them through so-called joint accounts with state governments. The result has been that local governments have ceased to be local, and they are also not national or effective. Rather the state governments essentially confiscate the funds and expend them as they wish. Thus the division of responsibilities for local government administration has killed the responsibilities. Put another way, the intrusion of the federal government in local government administration has virtually destroyed local administration.


There is no doubt that many of our states are not viable, and were not viable from the start, once you take away the federal allocations from Abuja. We have to find creative ways to make them viable in a changed federal system. Collaboration among states in a region or zone will help. We can examine the possibility of using the existing geo-political zones as federating units. We can also find other ways to determine the viability of states, for example by introducing a means test such that a state that is unable to generate a certain percentage of its expenditures internally for a specified period of time will be deemed unviable and collapsed into another or a group of states. We can constitute a body of non-partisan experts to suggest other ideas. But in all, we must devolve more powers and resources from the federal government and deemphasize federal allocations as the source of sustenance of states. We need to start producing again and collecting taxes to run our governments in a more sustainable way with greater transparency and accountability.


We have a unique opportunity now, with all the agitation and clamour for restructuring, to have a conversation that would lead to changes in the structure of our federation in order to make it stronger, enhance our unity and promote peace, security and better and more accountable governance. Ours should be a federal system that delegates to the federal government only powers and responsibilities for those matters that are better handled by a central government such as defence, foreign affairs, inter-governmental affairs, setting overall national economic policy and standards. Other powers and responsibilities should reside with the states, which will include the power to create and fund local governments as they deem fit.


Why do we have federal roads all over the country that don't get maintained? Why do we have federal hospitals and schools all over the country that are no better than their state counterparts? We even have more clamour for federal takeover of existing state institutions. That is not how to run a federation. Rather we are centralizing more and making a mockery of federalism. This is a parody of federalism, and we must get away from it.


We should proceed from the assumption that the oil economy, which underwrote our profligate, unsustainable and unstable federal structure, has reached its peak. New technologies of oil production, especially horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) have helped to produce a glut in the world oil market. They have also helped to move the United States towards becoming the world’s top oil producer. This partly explains why US import of Nigerian oil has declined from 50% a few years ago to almost zero today.


Also the massive investments in and rapid growth in alternative energy sources show that it is unrealistic to expect the huge rises in oil prices of the past. Let me illustrate with a few examples. In 2004 the world generated only 48 gigawatts of electricity from wind power, but by 2014 wind power accounted for 318 gigawatts. In 2004 only 2.6 gigawatts of power were generated worldwide from solar photovoltaic (PV), but by 2014, 139 gigawatts were being generated, and this excludes an additional 326 gigawatts thermal solar water heating capacity. Also total annual biofuel production rose from 30.9 billion litres in 2004 to 113.5 litres by 2014. The same phenomenal increase is noticed in annual investments in renewable energy, from a mere $39.5 billion US in 2004 to $214.4 billion by 2014. In 2004 only 48 countries had policy targets regarding renewable energy but by 2014 the number had reached 144. As we speak here today cars using non-oil based energy either in full or in part are being produced for the mass market. And in June last year the US, Canada and Mexico pledged to derive 50% of their energy from clean sources by 2025. Next month Apple, the iPhone maker, will open its new massive headquarters. The complex, which will house over 25,000 employees, will be powered entirely by energy from renewable sources. Thus the world seems to have set upon an irreversible course of reliance on non-fossil and renewable energy.


Therefore the downward pressure on oil prices will likely continue even if the world economy fully recovers from the current slow-down. Add to that the militancy and instability in the Niger Delta, which have reduced our oil production capacity and revenues. So it will be foolhardy for us to think that this ‘unitary federal’ structure, erected on oil rents, can subsist without a major modification.


Thus, the fight in this country over “resource control”, while it may still have resonance today, is really a fight for yesterday. And, as I said at a conference in Kaduna eight months ago, even a discovery of large quantities of oil and gas in the north today can only bring temporary relief but cannot reverse the fundamental shifts in the world’s energy trajectory. So, my brothers and sisters, let us move on, like the rest of the world. We should embark on the badly needed restructuring of this country now even if we are hoping to strike oil in commercial quantities in another region of the country. That way we have a chance to live better in a few years’ time and leave a worthy legacy for our children and grandchildren.


Human resources, rather than large deposits of natural resources, are a nation’s most important asset. For example, Japan has little land for agriculture and no significant mineral deposits, but it is the third largest economy in the world. And Singapore has become a First World economy in our lifetime although it has little in terms of natural resources. We can similarly transform our country. We just need to start immediately. Our country boasts of millions of young people. It is within our means to give them good education and the skills they need to become productive, innovative and competitive in the modern world.


A trained, educated and entrepreneurial workforce in a restructured Nigeria that empowers her federating units to look to their strengths, emphasize production and internally generated revenues, and compete with one another to attract investments will truly transform us into a respectable people. It will help grow our economy rapidly, ensure needed employment for our young people, improve security, stabilize our politics and promote peace.


We need the courage to move in that direction.


Thank you for your attention, and God bless.

Check out some eloquent speeches on #Restructuring by the H.E Atiku Abubakar at the Annual Professor Ademola Popoola Public Lecture, OAU, Ile-Ife.

Thanks,

Suleiman Suleimman

This report contains all online activities for the week on H.E Atiku which includes web crawled links, social media posts and structured comments on blogs and websites.

Accept the assurance of my best regards.

26.02.2017 - 05.03.2017

How PDP shoots itself in the foot

https:///4xtH6fGXTT

Presidency: Osinbajo and unquestionable loyalty, by Yushau A. Shiloh

https:///1iesmZZ7oL

Osinbajo, Atiku to be honoured at Justice Kayode Eso book launch

https:///bkyvoZaCsZ

Bindow in the web as Buhari, Atiku clash over 2019

https:///1ZUCXSnSvY

Atiku Rekindles Hope

https:///dB62yMsOMZ

Atiku To Tor Tiv: Make Peace Your Weapon

https:///c85E73ZmLk

Group urges Middle Belt to support Atiku’s call for restructuring

https:///ZZ2AwvN8K1


14 Nigerian that may contest against Buhari 2019

https:///dKT7pPttrx



Sulyman Suleiman
Twitter: @Mr_suleimman
Ridwanullahofficial01@gmail.com

H.E Atiku Abubakar attends the coronation ceremony of the Tor Tiv in Gboko, Benue state.

His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the new Zege Mule of Tiv Land.

Big Congratulations to him.

Suleiman Suleiman.

19.02.2017 - 26.02.2017


Atiku: recession surmountable
http://thenationonlineng.net/atiku-recession-surmountable/

Atiku Harps on Good Leadership for Nigeria
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/02/21/atiku-harps-on-good-leadership-for-nigeria/

Northerners want Abubakar to replace Buhari in 2019
http://m.news24.com.ng/Nigeria/Politics/News/northerners-want-abubakar-to-replace-buhari-in-2019-20170221

Groups decry Oba of Lagos remarks on Atiku
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/224542-groups-decry-oba-lagos-remarks-atiku.html

How Nigeria can survive, by Abubakar
http://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-can-survive-abubakar/

Mutane 5 da ake sa ranan zasuyi takara

https://hausa.naij.com/1089979-mutane-5-da-ake-sa-ranan-zasuyi-takara.http

Atiku Abubakar And His 26 Children

https://www.naij.com/660063-family-first-unveiling-atiku-abubakars-5-wives-26-children.html

The Political Permutations Towards 2019 (1)
http://leadership.ng/columns/573592/the-political-permutations-towards-2019-1

No corrupt person will lead Nigeria again, Lagos Oba Akiolu says

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/224351-no-corrupt-person-will-lead-nigeria-lagos-oba-akiolu-saysAtiku



Sulyman Suleiman
Twitter: @Mr_suleimman
Ridwanullahofficial01@gmail.com

Two socio-political groups based in northern Nigeria have warned the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, against making further disparaging remarks against a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

The Northern Emancipation Network, NEF, and Adamawa Think Tank, ATT, said the warning was in reaction to remarks credited to the Lagos monarch saying no corrupt persons will rule Nigeria again, in apparent reference to the former vice president.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigerian Women Against Corruption Initiative in Lagos, on Wednesday, Mr. Akiolu vowed to work against any corrupt individual becoming Nigeria’s president again.

“I insist that this is not era for somebody who spent the first three years under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo making money and turning public corporations to his own,” Thisday newspaper had quoted Mr. Akiolu as saying at the event.

“He is planning to come back to be the President of this country again. I’ll work against his ambition. I mean it and I mean it, by God’s grace, it shall not be so,” he said.
Also, at an event organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on January 30, Mr. Akiolu said Mr. Abubakar played a prominent role in convincing then president, Olusegun Obasanjo, to retire him from service.

The former vice president denied the claim.
However, in two separate statements signed by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman for NEF and Danladi DanAsabe for ATT, the groups said the recent utterances of Mr. Akiolu t amount to a “clear breach of the tenets of royalty and nobility”.

“Besides, it is unthinkable how a person who was disgraced out of the police service would have the audacity to unjustly accuse others of corruption,” Mr. Suleiman said.

“We challenge him to provide clear proofs of his allegations otherwise he remains a discredited and lying member of the royal class and a disappointment to nobility and those who hold the institution dear.
He said he wondered how a person who ascended the stool through “dubious means and surrounds himself with people of doubtful character” should speak about integrity.”

“We remind the Lagos monarch that those in glass houses don’t throw stones about. We categorically tell the monarch that he lacks the capacity to influence any political event even in Lagos, not to talk of influencing any national event,” he said.

On his part, Mr. DanAsabe said the Oba was just playing politics, “seeing that politicking for 2019 will soon begin”.

He also said “Atiku relies on the support of all Nigerians as he goes about his politics and cannot help those who harbour unnecessary fears”.

Mr. Suleiman also said that Nigerians are not in a hurry to forget the way the Lagos Oba told the Igbo community in Lagos “to go die in the lagoon during the build-up to the 2015 elections.

“This shows that it is not the first time he will shed the garb of royalty and put on the clothing of motor park tout,” he said.

Aside from being the second elected vice-president of Nigeria, not many can say too much about the private life of Atiku Abubakar.

The 69-year-old politician worked in the Nigeria Customs Service for twenty years, rising to become the deputy director, before he finally retired in April 1989 to face politics full time.

[article_adwert]

However, aside from all these 'butterflies' about the Ahmadu Bello University graduate, not many know what his home front looks like. According to reports, he has 26 children from his five wives. In the book titled ‘Atiku – The Story Of Atiku Abubakar’, the former vice president explains why he opted for polygamy as a young man. Atiku said: “I wanted to expand the Abubakar family. I felt extremely lonely as a child. I had no brother and no sister. I did not want my children to be as lonely as I was. This is why I married more than one wife. My wives are my brothers, my sisters, my friends and my advisers and they complement one another.

Atiku Abubakar married Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar at the young age of 25 secretly in December 1971, at the Ikoyi registry in Lagos, because her family was initially opposed to the union.

In January 1979 he married Ladi Atiku Abubakar. He married his third wife, Princess Rukaiyatu Atiku Abubakar, daughter of the late Lamido of Adamawa in 1983. He married Fatima Atiku Abubakar his fourth wife in 1986. He later divorced Ladi, allowing him to marry, as his fourth wife, Jennifer Iwenjora, who then became Jamila Atiku-Abubakar.

The first wife gave birth to four children, Fatima, Adamu, Halima and Aminu while the second wife, Hajia Ladi has six children, Abba, Atiku, Zainab, Ummi, Mariam and Rukayatu. The third wife, Princess Rukaiyat (current Lamido Adamawa’s 13th child) had seven children, Aisha, Hadiza, Aliyu, Asmau, Mustafa, Laila and Abdulsalaam. Hajia Fatima has six children, Amina, Mohammed and two sets of twins, Ahmed and Shehu andAisha and Zainab. And Hajia Jamila has three children, Abdulmalik, Zahra and Faisal.

Just recently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) politician and businessman gave out three of his daughters in marriage on the same day.

Kaduna - Plans to ensure former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stood for the presidential election in 2019 are intensifying.
Plans to ensure former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stood for the presidential election in 2019 are intensifying.

The Atiku Care Foundation, which has expressed its support for the politician, has embarked on an “enlightenment exercise” in thousands of polling units in the Kaduna State ahead of the poll.

Publicity Secretary of the foundation, Jacob Onjewu Dickson, said already two-thirds of the 7 400 polling units have been visited with the electorate welcoming the team with enthusiasm.

He said the visits were aimed at educating the people on basic democratic principles.
“In every stop, the good people echo the voice of the previous, calling on Atiku to come and continue the good work of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The Atiku Care Foundation Kaduna team led by Ibrahim Danfulani, while on the visits, distributes educational handbills which illustrate how to participate effectively in an electoral process to the masses.
This keys into other advocacy groups with similar aims and objectives like the Global Support for Atiku Abubakar (GSAA) that recently transformed from Turaki Vanguards.

Abubakar was vice president from 1999 to 2007.