The recent visit by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to Murtala Nyako, his longtime political rival, has sparked controversy and rumours about the former vice president’s intentions for the 2027 presidential election.
Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa state, and Atiku have been on opposite sides of the political spectrum for decades. However, their recent meeting has raised eyebrows, with many speculating that Atiku is building alliances for a presidential bid.
Atiku’s political journey has been marked by shifts in allegiance, having moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and back again. He is now the only force that binds the fractured PDP together. If he were to decide to leave today, his loyalists in the party would surely move with him, leaving the PDP at the mercy of Barrister Nyesome Wike to annex it to President Bola Tinubu, since they are working together under the APC.
Meanwhile, Nyako remained in the APC throughout the President Muhammadu Buhari tenure but failed to gain significant traction. The reunion of the two Adamawa politicians has led some to believe that they are joining forces to challenge President Tinubu in 2027. The statement, “There are no permanent enemies or friends, only permanent interests in politics,” is about to play out as two Adamawa politicians decide to come together. Atiku Abubakar and Admiral Murtala Nyako have been on opposite sides for decades.
Nyako’s political journey began after his retirement from the Nigerian Navy. He went into mechanised farming at his Sebore Farms in Mayo Belwa, Yola until he was invited in 2007 by President Olusegun Obasanjo through Professor Jibril Aminu, the then senator for Adamawa central zone. Against all odds, Obasanjo imposed him as the sole candidate of the PDP in 2007. Nyako won the governorship election on the platform of the PDP in Adamawa state. Until the political tsunami of impeachment was unleashed on him by the state House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the current governor of the state.
Nyako, alongside Atiku, were aggrieved and quit the PDP and pitched their tent with the new mega APC with President Buhari flying the party’s flag. They staged an open war against President Goodluck Jonathan, the then incumbent president, and chased him out of office in 2015. The duo met to form the APC that brought President Buhari. Shortly after, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar left for his permanent abode, the PDP.
Governor Murtala Nyako had hoped to be included in the Buhari administration, but until after his eight-year tenure, no position or consideration was given to him. Nyako, as a gentleman, remained committed to his party, the APC, which brought President Tinubu to power, still, he was not considered by the administration. He is probably seen as a loyal man of the Buhari’s APC faction. His presence in APC is more of political slavery, doing the background dunghill work but with nothing to show for as the cake is only shared to the core guys from the inception of AC, ACN and the Tinubu APC led faction. This arguably makes it easy for Atiku Abubakar, who is shopping around for the 2027 general elections, to convince Governor Nyako to join him in his cause.
Nigerians will go to the polls to elect a new president in the next 29 months; can the former number two citizen of Nigeria form and market a new political party to win elections in 2027?
This time around, it’s a war to the end of age, to either win to live or lose to die. Atiku is seen mending fences with all politicians of like minds to get their support together and win the 2027 presidential election. Many have envisaged that the reunion of the two illustrious sons of Adamawa – Nyako, a former senior Naval officer and governor of served Adamawa state from 2007-2014, and Atiku Abubakar, a former senior Customs officer who later became the Vice President of Nigeria – are now good friends towards winning the 2027 elections.
However, tongues are wagging about how the former governor of Rivers state and the current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, holds Atiku’s party by the jugular, holding the PDP’s balls without any sign of losing his grip soon; maybe he will cause a colossal damage that will end the party’s existence.
Is the former number two citizen of Nigeria planning to form another party to wrest power from President Tinubu come 2027, or will he settle with the one-man riot squad, Wike, to allow him stay in the PDP with his guests? Nigerians will go to the polls to elect a new president in the next 29 months; can the former number two citizen of Nigeria form and market a new political party to win elections in 2027?
Whichever way one may look at the game being played out by the two Adamawa illustrious sons, whether in APC or PDP, it’s a struggle for survival. This is where the possibility of a new mega party may be resorted to by Atiku Abubakar. If he remains in PDP, the Wike led faction is already a thorn on his political survival. It’s a known fact that the Wike show down on Atiku through in the 2023 presidential election denied him the chance of becoming the president of Nigeria. It’s also believed Tinubu compensated Wike with a ministerial appointment despite being a card carrying member of the opposition PDP.
If Nyako, also known as Baba Maimangoro, should make an attempt return to the PDP, students of political history will also conclude that he is up for a state burial. This is because the PDP in Adamawa is not in the hands of Atiku; Governor Fintiri is in full control of the party. Nyako with the conscience of a Fulani right thinking man will never forget the generational disgrace he suffered from the Fintiri led house of assembly through his impeaching as a governor. So, contemplating a return to to the PDP will be tantamount to committing a political suicide. For Atiku and Nyako, it’s only a new party under a merger or dusting up third forces that will accommodate their respective political interest.
The visit to Nyako by Atiku clearly indicates that the duo have sheath their swords known to have existed for over a decade – brotherhood ensued, genuine love and renewed relationship were restored, their differences resolved and enmity buried; peace now reigns.
Only time will however tell. For now, our fingers are crossed as the Wazirin Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, is set to play a pivotal role in the upcoming political landscape, leveraging his vast experience and reputation as a household name in the North, and a political juggernaut in Nigeria.
The 2027 elections promise to be the most interesting. It’s a journey of no return for some politicians who have paid their dues just as the agitations of younger politicians are becoming stronger than ever.
Tom Garba, fspsp, FIMC, FBDFM, PSLC. publisher and peace advocate peace, writes from Fombina House, Yola, Adamawa state via 08030525759, [email protected]
Blueprint Newspapers on WhatsAp-Join now!