In a landmark ruling, the Nigerian Supreme Court has quashed the longstanding presidential aspirations of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The court upheld President Bola Tinubu’s victory as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing Atiku’s claims of electoral irregularities favoring the APC in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, who has made five unsuccessful attempts to secure the nation’s highest office, has had a tumultuous political journey. Despite his tenure as Vice President alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, their relationship deteriorated, prompting Atiku to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and align with the Action Congress, a party sponsored by former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu. However, he faced defeat in the 2007 presidential election.
He subsequently returned to the PDP but suffered another loss in the 2011 presidential race against then-President Goodluck Jonathan, who received the backing of Obasanjo and other prominent Nigerians. Atiku’s political journey featured multiple party switches, defections, and repeated attempts to secure the presidency. He was once again defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 election, despite his substantial financial resources.
Following a brief return to the PDP, Atiku exited the party again in 2017, later rejoining the APC. However, he eventually shifted back to the PDP, winning the party’s presidential ticket for the 2019 election. In that election, he lost to President Buhari and was unable to overturn the results through legal challenges.
In preparation for the 2023 election, Atiku secured the PDP’s nomination for the presidency. However, his campaign faced numerous obstacles, including the departure of his running mate, Peter Obi, who pursued the same office under the Labour Party. Furthermore, Atiku was unable to reach an agreement with the G5 group led by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
As the 2023 election approached, Atiku’s path to the presidency appeared increasingly challenging. His multiple party switches, loss of key allies, and failure to establish a strong political coalition weakened his prospects. Ultimately, his former ally, Bola Tinubu of the APC, emerged victorious in the presidential race.
Atiku, who has consistently expressed his desire to become President, reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his goal. However, his advancing age and a series of unsuccessful attempts raise questions about the viability of his ongoing presidential ambitions.
Expert Opinions on Atiku’s Next Moves
Political analysts and experts have offered diverse perspectives on Atiku’s future in Nigerian politics. Some believe he should shift his focus to mentoring young Nigerians and play a pivotal role in rebuilding the PDP into a formidable opposition party, leveraging his experience and stature for this purpose. Others argue that Atiku should accept the Supreme Court’s verdict as the final outcome of his presidential ambitions and dedicate his time to supporting the government and providing counsel on national issues.
Atiku, now approaching 80 years of age, faces a pivotal decision regarding his political future. The upcoming days, weeks, and months will unveil whether he will persist in his quest for the presidency or embrace a new role as a statesman and mentor for the next generation of Nigerian leaders.