The speculation is over: Atiku Abubakar, the Nigerian vice president has formally declared his intention to run for president. While Atiku’s declaration ends several months of speculation, it is also a demonstration of the depth and ’savviness’ of his politcal machinery.
Atiku has weathered some recent turbulent political storms which literally pitched him against the president and the ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which suspended him following some corruption allegations.
In what amounts to a cat and mouse game between Atiku’s and Obasanjo’s camps, the Vee Pee kept mute on the identity of the political platform he will run, by so doing he seems to have avoided - at least for the time being -getting impeached and losing the immunity bestowed on him by the constitution.
Atiku has once again demonstrated he is a cat with many lives, and perhaps a more seasoned politician that I thought. The next couple of months promise to be very interesting in the Nigerian politcal arena.
[...] The High court ruling is a major boost to Atiku; who somehow has demonstrated an unexpected staying power. If this is not a demonstration of deep political roots and dexterity, then I wonder what it is. Atiku has survived and effectively countered, so far, attempts to discredit him and derail him from his political tracks. [...]
November 29, 2006 at 7:41 pm