Atiku, Nyako, Aminu Rekindle Old Rivalry

PDP: Atiku, Nyako, Aminu Rekindle Old Rivalry


The return of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been generating controversies within the party. Ike Abonyi writes on the disquiet in the party

The visit of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to Wadata House, the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he held over fifty minutes meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor climaxed his much rumoured return to the party which he left to join the Action Congress in 2006 after a bitter disagreement with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Before he fell out with his boss, Atiku was effectively in charge of the presidency and the party especially when Obasanjo was busy globetrotting.
Even during the 2003 party convention, the former Vice president was the power broker that made it possible for governors to endorse Obasanjo for a second term in office. Literarily, he was the one who held the yam and the knife and chosen where and how to cut the yam. However, the event that followed the endorsement of the former president for a second term is now part of the nation’s political history

So, a lot of things must have been going through the mind of Atiku on that eventful day when he drove into the PDP Secretariat at exactly 12.45 pm on Wednesday April 14,2010 in company of his political associates which included former National Treasurer of PDP, Kareto Umar Lawal and Otunba Oyewole Fasawe to see the National Chairman.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Atiku confirmed that he is back to the party. “Yes it is my party, so I am back. I went to inform him (Ogbulafor) formally that I have returned to the party since last week.”

Asked what would be his interest now that he is back, the former Vice President said, “Allow me to settle down first” He however denied that he came back to the party with conditions, saying, “No conditionality at all”
When asked whether he would contest any election as he returns, Atiku said, “It is of no relevance now.”
Also speaking with newsmen after the meeting with Atiku, Ogbulafor acknowledged that the former Vice president is back to the party and that his return was in line with the constitution of the party.

According to the PDP constitution, any member who is returning to the party must be re-registered in his ward and that if the person wish to contest, that such a person must have stayed two years in the party, except waiver is given by the National Working Committee (NWC) which must be approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
According to Ogbulafor, “Atiku is free to return and his return is in line with the constitution of the party. Our doors are open to all. This umbrella is open to all who wish to return to the party.”

Ogbulafor said that no terms except the constitutional provisions of the party would be applied.
Meanwhile, in another statement by Atiku’s Campaign Office, The former Vice President said that he welcome Governor Murtala Nyako's declaration that he is not opposed to his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the two paragraph statement, it said, “Atiku believes that the perception that he and his associates were coming to takeover the party is a propaganda being dished out by fifth columnists”.

Atiku also advised his supporters to treat all party members with respect and humility. “So, there is really no reason for anyone to feel threatened.”
Atiku while welcoming Nyako's positive disposition towards his return, appealed to all stakeholders to disregard any attempt to drive a wedge between him and important constituencies within the PDP.

However, despite Atiku's plea for accommodation and understanding, two chieftains of the party in Adamawa state, Governor Admiral Murtala Nyako and Senator Jibril Aminu are not comfortable with Atiku’s return and are working hard to stop Atiku from returning to the PDP.
But the party’s National leadership approved the return of the former Vice president. Adamawa’s chapter of the party was therefore mandated to receive him back to the party.

However, the return of Atiku has been generating various reactions. Atiku is one of the strongest politicians from the north as he enjoys tremendous goodwill from his supporters.
But to realize his ambition, the former Vice president will have to slog it out with former military chiefs in the party who are also interested in the presidency come 2011.
Also in the race are former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and the National Security Adviser (NSA) General Mohammed Aliyu Gusau.

However, political observers believe that the return of Atiku has changed the political permutation in the PDP. Even if Atiku is not going to contest for Presidency in 2011 because of certain provisions of the party constitution, his presence would help other civilian politicians to draw the much needed confidence to challenge the Generals.
If he is however given the waiver as provided in the PDP constitution, he will be able to effectively challenge the Generals in a contest to get the PDP presidential ticket.


Also political observers were divided on whether Atiku should have returned to PDP. some observers believe he had taken a wrong decision, but for others, his decision was realistic and in order. According to the latter group, the Action Congress (AC) on which platform Atiku contested the 2007 presidential election, had slipped out of his hands, hence he had to retrace his steps back to PDP
However, the next unfolding political events will show whether Atiku’s return is capable of upturning the political calculations on the ground in the ruling party.