By Ayodimeji Falade
Ahlaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria is also part of the top candidates contesting in the February 2023 presidential election.
His political presence has remained strong and active for decades.
Apart from his role as Vice President during Obasanjo’s tenure, Atiku Abubakar has consistently struggled politically.
Ikejabird looks at the strings that might be pulling back Atiku the former Vice President in 2023.
1. Wike’s loyalty scare
After the PDP presidential primaries, Nyesom Wike the current governor of Rivers state, who also contested for the presidential ticket has become a wild fire ignited in the PDP.
The governor is in league with a group of disaffected governors, the G5, despite all efforts by committees to bring him back.
This has led to continuous tension around the Umbrella camp, as his nonchalance and romance with other parties could cost Atiku.
2. Ayu chairmanship saga
PDP once again finds themselves inside another chairmanship crises, like the Sherriff and Makarfi saga of 2017. It’s happening at the most significant time in the elections.
Many groups have kicked against Ayu as chairman, while others are backing him. This has caused much turbulence inside the party.
3. Atiku’s perceived ethnic bias
During his visit to a northern group, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, declared that Northerners should vote Northern candidates.
This comment sparked plenty of negative reactions and many described his comments as inciting ethnic bias.
4. Deleted tweet on Deborah’s murder
After the unlawful killing of Deborah in Zamfara, Atiku tweeted to condemn the act on his Twitter account. After some time, the tweet was deleted.
Subsequently, he apologized on his Facebook page in Hausa for making such tweet about the killing.
People have continuously criticized this action and fear his position on crimes of such nature will be biased.
Atiku Abubakar has become a common name in the electoral space, having contested for presidential and governorship elections in 1990, 1997, 1998,1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019.
It remains to be seen if this losing streak continues or ends in February presidential elections.
