How Atiku Abubakar Failed Nigeria

How Atiku Abubakar Failed Nigeria

Fagbemi Oluwaseun

When I reflect on the powers and functions of the Vice President of Nigeria, and the recent attempts by Atiku Abubakar, to blackmail Obasanjo as the worst president Nigeria has had ever, I am completely stunned, and without words.

In a recent newspaper publication, Abubakar maintained that, Obasanjo has failed Nigeria in all aspects of government. He however, failed to point out where he, as the Vice President had succeeded in all aspects of government. He then promised that if elected as the next President, he would 'reform' the reforms of the present administration and make life more bearable for Nigerians. O n the occasion of his declaration for the presidency of Nigeria in the 2007 election, the Turakin Adamawa maintained that his coming into the presidential race was not for personal interests. He said "I t is a contest for and about uplifting the lives of the forgotten millions of our fellow citizens who work very hard but get very little! It is a contest for and about the millions of our people who have no work at all! It is a contest for and about the millions of hard-working middle class families in Nigeria whose standard of living is progressively being eroded! It is a contest for and about the transformation of the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria! It is a contest for and about the enthronement of a more just and equitable society! It is about giving the people of Nigeria a government that they deserve - a government that puts their interests first!"

Enough of this! For the records, Abubakar as the vice President of Nigerisa, had within his powers, to do the above and more! His official web-site reveals that, The Vice-President is primarily in charge of all Federal Government dealings with the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. He is the chairman of, the National Economic Council, National Council on Privatization (NCP), National Economic Revitalization Committee and National Planning Commission. He also oversees the boards of all Federal Government Parastatals and Corporations. As the chairman of these, Turaki Adamawa holds the major responsibility of steering the nation's economic machinery, channelling efforts to optimize the opportunities of a potentially great economy. In addition, out of every ten appointed Federal Ministers, seven were sponsored by the Vice President. It was also, within the powers of the VP to appoint people in top positions to some parastatals and boards.

Let us face this, between 1999—2003, while Obasanjo globe-trotted and gallivanted, Atiku was the de-facto President. He made himself stupendously rich. At that time, he was not of the 'forgotten millions.' He forgot them too. He was not thinking of the jobless. His children became directors of oil-servicing companies. He did not think of the hard-working middle-level income families. He made his friends and self upper class.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had all along been the Chief Executive of Nigeria, and benefited tremendously, while Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the ceremonial head. This points to the fact that the reforms the nation is undergoing are purely the handiwork of Atiku. If Nigeria has failed in the past eight years, then the Vice President is responsible for this failure. Atiku should explain to Nigerians why he shattered our dreams of a great Nigeria. He was the custodian of the machinery for national development in the first years of this government, how did he utilise that? How was it channelled? Did he remember then that it was a duty for and about " uplifting the lives of the forgotten millions … who work very hard but get very little!...who have no work at all! … the enthronement of a more just and equitable society! … giving the people of Nigeria a government that they deserve - a government that puts their interests first! " Or did he deliberately remain silent waiting for when he becomes the President?

Fellow citizens, if the Vice President has the powers to handle all the Federal Government dealings in the 36 states of the federation, including FCT Abuja, and chairs all the economic projects of the country, and appoints 7 out of 10 ministers, then he was the right man to have handled the cases of "… the forgotten millions". Atiku did not because he could not, together with his bunch of dormant ministers, directors and head of parastatals. When he was supposed to be doing this, he was busy strategising with them how to be recycled president in 2007. He then failed, Atiku failed woefully and today turns around to declare for change. Change from what? From the reforms you headed or change of persons like you, who are found incapable of handling national assignments? If at all Nigeria desires the so called change you preach, Mr Vice President, you should be the first to be changed! As chairman for the transformation of the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria , what did you do? How well did you link the 36 states of the federation in terms of good roads, electricity, security of life and property, job creation etc? You championed the reforms of the nation, yet you cry for a change of them. How long shall you continue to lead us in a forward-backward match? We are tired of failed people! We want change, but certainly not your own kind of change.

Oluwaseun is of the Department of Economics, Bayero University of Nigeria, Nsukka.