Politics
Between Jonathan And Atiku
The stage is set for the clash of the titans for the seat of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria under the umbrella of the PDP. Burning issues in the polity, based on zoning, power shift, power rotation, exploitation and domination of minorities, resource control, federal revenue derivation has turned the contest to a North-South South struggle.
The Northern disposition of upholding the PDP zoning agenda, reinforced by their claim that the tenure of northerners as president is stiff and unfinished business, given the demise of late President Umaru Yara’Adua, who led for three years before given up the ghost. The emergence of politicians like Maj-Gen IBB, Atiku Abubakar, Shekarau etc. tend to endanger the chances of the northerners from grabbing the position. This motivated the Adamu Ciroma-led NPLF to conduct the consensus election for all northern aspirants in PDP, in which Atiku Abubakar emerged the winner. Now the question is, Atiku and Jonathan who does the cap fit?
Answering questions of this magnitude requires and unparalleled analytical ability of this two personalities, their political antecedents, their economic strength, strength of their campaign teams, people –oriented acceptability analysis, their current political form, the needs of the politico-economic entity Nigeria in the next four years.
Personality Analysis:
Atiku, Sarkin Turaki is a firm personality; he’s got guts, he’s a kind of person that goes for what he wants unmindful of whose ox is gored. He looks pretty hard, a bit rigid, and unlikely o favour a bargain against his conscience. He has a fighting spirit, dogged, as clearly seen in his face-off with OBJ, loves and lives a life of affluence, capital accumulation and continuous acquisition of properties. His ostentatious life outside the country, makes him so high an unapproachable capitalist in the eyes of his kinsmen, which makes his social life, popularity, degree of integration with the masses questionable. IBB proves to be a more down to earth politician than he is.
Jonathan is a gentleman in words and in action, a lecturer before he joined politics. He is a humane, lighter personality, who is willing to trade off some of his personal interest for the interest of peace, not over-ambitious, quiet, patient man. He is a kind of personality whose silence, calm disposition is quickly misconstrued by many, but he is on the contrary a pragmatic, rationale person in decision taking. Though he is not a kind of shouty politician, with much popularity, he has made millions of open and secret admirers and has few problems with his colleagues if any, actually favoured by the masses.
Political Antecedents:
Atiku has been a former governor of his state, a former vice president under OBJ, that’s his political antecedents in mainstream national politics. Jonathan Goodluck has been a former deputy governor of Bayelsa State under DSP Alamieyeseigha, a governor of the state, a former vice president under late president Umaru Yar’Adua, a former acting president and now the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sarkin Turaki’s tenure as vice president of the country was marred with power tussle between him and his master OBJ, this led to his indictment by the EFCC on case of money laundering, siphon of government funds and misuse of office in the acquisition of many companies via his privatization policy during their regime. Struggling with the master and the powers that be, SARKIN TURAKI gained ground, had loyalist and has been fighting to fill the no I position of the country amidst the political tides. Now, he is back with the slogan “the man OBJ and EFCC could not stop” an eloquent testimony of his preparedness to break into piece all bars of iron and gates of bronze inhibiting his emergence as the president, including OBJ.
On the contrary, JONATHAN, have not had much scores to settle with his colleagues, masters in the game, he has almost prudently observed Robert Greene’s law no. 1, his 48 laws of power, “never outshines the master”. His trying times came when his master Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health crisis reached its peak. The state was in anarchy for 5 months. He did not strategise to take over, he only sat down and watch the northern political juggernauts play their gimmicks. But if GOD propose who can dispose? Others championed the course that made him acting president, not that he hadn’t the strength to go for it, but he wasn’t ambitious.
Economic Strength:
An unbiased analysis, in the declaration of assets of Jonathan before assuming the position against Atiku’s current financial state. Atiku is more financially robust than Jonathan.
Campaign Strength:
Atiku’s campaign organization which has its branches in almost all the states of federation with its headquarters at No 1 Luanda Crescent Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja parades professionals, sophisticated, highly equipped staffs, volunteers, analyst, prominent politicians working round the clock. Spearheading his campaigns are persons of the caliber of Senator Ben Obi, Mr Chris Mammah, Dr Adeolu Akande, Garba Shehu, Bashir Yussuf, Prof Gidad Maxwell, Dr Udenta with a host of other fellows integrated from four campaign organizations of four northern aspirants.
They have succeeded in securing Atiku a successful return to PDP. A waiver to contest the position of the presidency which OBJ has incessantly denied him in the platform of PDP, and they also helped him emerge as consensus candidate of the North in PDP via NPLF.
Jonathan campaign team parades men like Ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Sully Abu, Dr Godsday Orubebe, Mike Omeri, Dr Saidu Samaila Sambawa, Mrs Biodun Olujuna, Abubakar Muazu et.
From all indications, sources gathered that though other professionals are said to be at work for Jonathan’s, the level of proficiency, hardwork, dedication in Atiku’s camp is far more greater than what is available in Jonathan camp.
Prime Movers Behind These Men:
For Atiku, rpime movers like Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alex Ekwueme, Chief Matthew Mbu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Major Gen. IBB, Aliyu Gasau, Governor Bukola Saraki, Mr Bashir Yussuf Ibrahim, Sabo Abdulahi and many more.
For Jonathan, his movers are Maj Gen OBJ, Gov Godswill Akpabio, Sen David Mark, Speaker Bankole, Tony Anenih (Mr Fix It). The man that said that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. Many other governors, ministers, house of rep and senate members seeking re-election.
The war of words between these two sects of political groups has taken another dimension since the emergence of Atiku as the Northern consensus candidate, coupled with his campaign slogans which depicts his violent pride over his achievement of returning to the PDP, securing a waiver to contest amidst strong opposition from the PDP Board of Trustee chairman, OBJ.
This is a game, perceived by Adamu Ciroma as the struggle for the maintenance of the politico-economic containment of the Northern hemisphere in the nation, through its renowned Mafia. A battle by Atiku against the bewitchment his intelligence, human right to contest and win by claims of unquestionable political hegemony of Obasanjo and a total war against the insurmountable nature of the power of incumbency with Jonathan. Who wins this war?
Their Current Political Form
Atiku is just a citizen of Nigeria, currently without any political portfolio, but who strongly believes that with his wealth and former political structure by him, he can move mountains. Goodluck Jonathan is currently the president of the country.
What Nigeria Needs In The Next Four Years.
Nigeria needs political stability, Nigeria needs economic stability in the form of increase in Government revenue, high per capita income, economic restructuring to aid equitable distribution of the nation’s resources. Nigeria needs creation of employment opportunities for graduates and everybody seeking employment, Nigeria needs relative price stability, inflow of foreign direct investments and a total stop to money laundering and capital flight. Nigeria needs a drastic reduction of salaries of lawmakers, by at least 30%, use it to finance unemployment benefits for people unemployed. The question is who is in a better position to make these things happen?, Jonathan or Atiku?
Conclusion
In the personality analysis, I think Atiku’s personality would be utility oriented in times of taking hard decisions, in matters of war and peace to protect the territorial integrity of the nation. On the other hand I think Nigerians who prefer the soft person in Jonathan, who can still reconsider his stand for the interest of his people. This can be seen in his withdrawal of his ban on Super Eagles, football in Nigeria after a poor outing in South Africa considering the consequences of the FIFA hammer on the future of upcoming talents and the happiness of Nigerians. On that paraphernalia we give it to Jonathan.
On the political antecedents and experience, from the analysis above, Jonathan has occupied more positions in the smallest period of time than Atiku, also having few or now personal issues with his colleagues during his stay in those offices gives him an edge on that. Judging from their economic strength, Atiku is more prepared for the battle than Jonathan with respect to their equity capital. On their campaign strength, Atiku steal leads Jonathan given the information symmertry, cohesion, dedication, hardwork, connectivity among his group and their successes so far.
On the men behind them, Atiku’s men are majorly veterans in the game, the Northern mafia with a lot of experience. It is still very difficult to undermine the strength of people like OBJ, Tony Anenih on the side of Jonathan, but what makes this struggle classical is the personal challenge between OBJ and Atiku. OBJ’s statement “I dey laugh o” and Atiku’s campaign group’s response “we dey laugh too o” on that standpoint it’s a 50-50 game.
With respect to their current political form, Jonathan is excellently on top. Finally giving an unbiased analysis of the needs of Nigerians against the potentials of these aspirants, for political stability to remain Jonathan is the man, because the emergence of Atiku would mean a total dismantling of the Niger Delta which is inimical to capital inflows in form of FDI (Foreign Direct Investments), FPI (Foreign Private Investments), which would affect availability of jobs and reduce government revenue through potential taxes from these firms.
For economic restructuring and equitable distribution of income wouldn’t work with Atiku given his orientation towards privatization of companies, capital accumulation, acquisition of properties. Given the position of Karl Marx in his Das capital concerning capital accumulation, he said” accumulation of capital, wealth on one sie of the pole is at the same time accumulation of poverty, misery, agony of starvation on the other side of the pole.”
On the case of price stability, this is an index that is usually transmitted in Nigeria through movements in prices of petroleum products, especially fuel, but since Goodluck Jonathan became the president, he quickly declared for sale our oil in northern reservoir, this has made the supply of the commodity more than its demands, a singular reason that can make any Nigerian vote for him, this stability in the internal price of petrol has reinforced stability in other goods and services in the country, on this standpoint Jonathan is favoured. The last but not the least is the government revenue. Crude oil contribute 75% of Nigerian revenue and all the crude oil that sustains the country is drilled from the Niger Delta area, who have been crying out since 1960 of the domination, exploitation of the government on the area without corresponding development strides for the goose that lays the golden egg. Now, by an act of God, one of their sons manages to be at the helm of affairs of the nation and someone from the same north that has been ruling the country for years wants to outwit him. The consequences are at our tips, no more oil drilling which implies no more money for the economy, any attempts to use force on them metamorphoses into a holy war and finally a possible disintegration of the country, but we don’t pray so.
This is just a personal opinion.
Egege Justice
Justice Egege
Politics
Atiku Quits PDP, Says Decision Heartbreaking

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa state.
Alhaji Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Alhaji Abubakar said.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future”, he added.
Alhaji Abubakar’s resignation from the PDP comes days after the opposition coalition politicians adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 elections.
Among the coalition leaders are Rotimi Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor; and John Oyegun, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others include Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, among others.
Politics
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
A group, ‘Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF),’ has intensified calls on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CBSF which comprises members of various political parties, non-partisan citizens and residents of the state also has non-indigenes and people from different religious organisations as members.
Speaking at a world press conference held in Yenagoa, the State capital on Tuesday, the group, through its convener who doubles as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, passed a confidence vote on Governor Diri, commending his selfless service to the State and the Ijaw nation.
Mr Ikuli averred that there was need for the state to align with the federal government. Citing the benefits of having a government at the centre that can attract development to the state, he noted that the PDP at the national level had been long enmeshed in crisis.
“The current leadership of the PDP under whose platform the governor is leading the state has been hijacked by few individuals. This poses threats to the interest of the state.
“Presently, our state is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of the South South region. The above may not be too much an issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsa in 2027, particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the nomination of all candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“ It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show southern solidarity with other southern governors who are with Mr. President”, the group said.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualisation of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity. In the next few days we shall begin a daily rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
“Finally, His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritising that of the state and the entire Ijaw nation.
“ We wish to reassure His Excellency that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, we shall move forward”, the CBSF added.
The group thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ijaw sons and daughters into key positions, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), amongst others.
Meanwhile, the CBSF has also charged Governor Diri to prioritize the actualization of the Agge Deep Seaport project, saying it will boost the economy of the state and bring about transformation and prosperity, noting, however, that plans have reached advanced stages for the CBSF to hit the streets of Yenagoa with rallies with a view to prevailing on the governor to defect to the APC.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Politics
Nasarawa Speaker Advocates Conducive Executive/Legislature Relations

The Speaker made the call on Wednesday while hosting councillors from the 13 local government areas of the State in his residence in Lafia, the state capital.
Rt Hon. Jatau said that a good working relationship among the arms of government at the council level was key to development, hence, the need for his call in that direction.
He appreciated the councillors for condoling with him over the death of his younger sister, Hajaratu Jatau, and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
“I started as a councillor, and today I am the Speaker. There is the need for a good working relationship between you and the elected chairmen for development to thrive at the grassroots. It is in view of this that I want to call on you to give your elected chairmen all the necessary and needed support to succeed. For development to thrive at the grassroots, you must embrace one another and see yourselves as team players,” the Speaker said.
Rt Hon. Jatau also called on them to coexist peacefully among themselves and continue to drum up support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
Besides, he assured them that the state government would soon organise training for them to deliver effective service.
Rt Hon. Jatau also assured them that the state government would pay them their furniture allowance, as well as other benefits, to enhance their legislative work.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Councillors Forum, Mohammed Madaki, who is the Leader of Lafia LGA Legislative Assembly, said that the visit was to identify with the Speaker over the death of his sister.
The leader of the delegation urged the Speaker to see the death of his sister as an act of God and bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Madaki assured the Speaker of their loyalty and support at all times.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Speaker to intervene in the training of the councillors as well as the payment of their furniture allowance.
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