I have read Atiku Abubakar's 'The Virtue of Forgiveness and Reconciliation' in which the former Nigerian vice-president seriously justified his trip to Abeokuta where he met with his estranged former boss and enemy, Olusegun Obasanjo. In the piece signed by Atiku himself, the ex-custom boy preaches forgiveness using God and religion to maintain, uphold, or defend his penitential arduous journey to Ota holy land. Atiku's journey in politics has always been about wandering starting from the PFN days to PDP to AC to PDP to....

Unlike most Nigerians I am not at all surprised about what is now known as a controversial meeting, but I am appalled at the way it happened. One would have expected Atiku to be the host instead of the visitor. After all, it wasn't Atiku that offended Obasanjo rather the other way round. It was the latter who had sent his EFCC bulldog after the former, an action which disrupted their stale and unclean administration. It was a violent fight that almost prevented Atiku from contesting the presidential election two years ago. Both men could be said were at war then as they became sworn enemies. In fact, Obasanjo specifically said that his grudge against Atiku was purely on corruption to which Atiku replied that he would open a can of worms. He never really did, or at least not to my expectation. Hum...

Now that the two men seem to be romancing each other again, comment I must make due to the general consequence on the entire nation. Let me first say that Atiku is either politically naive, or a living example that some people are ready to call a cow their elder brother if they are desperately hungry for meat. Atiku should have exercised extreme caution in dealing with Obasanjo - again. Atiku should have met the Ota farmer in his own farm in Adamawa, or at least in a neutral place. By travelling to Abeokuta, Atiku has publicly boosted Obasanjo's ego. And I bet the Owu Chief is mocking him now. Perhaps Atiku wanted to demonstrate his respect for culture. After all, it is the younger ones who usually go to their elders in cases like this.

So in his sermon, the AC presidential candidate in the 2007 bogus elections resulted to what they all known for - mere rhetoric. If I was still naive, I would probably have fallen for his high flown style language effectively used to persuade. But the more he talks about Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ doctrine of forgiveness, the more he sounds hypocritical and intentionally vague. And the more he preaches, the more I hear a man professing beliefs and opinions he does not hold. These people are so transparent despite several attempts to conceal their real selves.

Thus his loud and confused and empty talk manifested in his attempt to vindicate himself in this reconciliation romance. Though carefully stated, Atiku has revealed to Nigerians and probably the world that he is bending on ruling Nigeria and its people by all means possible, including a deliberate act of deviating from the truth. Perhaps there's nothing new in such diabolic rapprochement, since our political stage has always been dominated by those lacking principles or moral scruples. But I take exception when people with little or no integrity portray themselves as open and genuine.

"My visit to Abeokuta shouldn't be perceived within the context of my political aspiration but should be viewed as a sincere effort to entrench the virtue of forgiveness and peace among leaders and their followers. I am yet to find any superior argument to convince me against the virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation."

Sir, what about the virtues of honesty and integrity? These are the two most virtues appear to be missing in your life but which you are trying desperately to tell Nigerians that you possess. This is deceit in itself; it is as dangerous and harmful to the development of Nigeria and its people as your blind ambition to rule. Now let me tell you a superior argument to convince you against the virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation. Are you listening sir? Anyone who lacks honesty and integrity also lacks spiritual power to forgive and reconcile. Except perhaps Atiku Abubakar - whenever it suits his ambition. Period

Atiku is clearly deceiving himself here by trying to convince Nigerians that his visit should not be perceived within the context of his political aspiration. What else could bring Obasanjo and Atiku together other than inordinate ambition of both men? Whilst forgiveness and, or reconciliation is good, what Atiku has done in that context is playing a fool in a reckless move to rule Nigerians at all cost. And I predict he'll end up seriously damaged more than Obasanjo in this dance of the witches. Atiku should have instead used his riches and influence to back electoral act in order to prevent another massive rigging in 2011. That is what he should have done rather than preaching forgiveness or whatever.

Or is it you and I that Atiku deceiving with the following statement? 'I want to spend the rest of my life spreading joy, love and peace among people...' without detailing how reconciliation with Obasanjo will serve that purpose. Atiku represents Nigerian politicians who never believed in what they say. At 60 when he engaged in a roforofo fight with Obasanjo because the latter had scuttled his presidential ambition, he did not think of spreading joy, love and peace among people. Now at 62 he suddenly realised the need to spread joy, love and peace after the same Obasanjo had hoodwinked him into believing he could become the president in 2011. Does it now mean that Atiku is no more corrupt? What kind of man is this Obasanjo self? 

 'In politics, people associate and come together, forge alliances to promote common interests or struggle to win power under a democratic process. The men and women who came together in 1998 to form the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were not always the best of friends. Some had been bitter political rivals who decided to work together for the good of their communities, states and the nation. Therefore, there is nothing unusual in former adversaries coming together in the pursuit of higher national interests."

Really? Nigerian politicians working together for the good of their communities, states and the nation! Former adversaries coming together in the pursuit of higher national interests! When did they start doing that? Haba Atiku! Oh, and anyway you're a Nigerian politician who doesn't need to be taken seriously! I repeat sir, you are deceiving yourself. It would have been better had you come out and say, "Fellow Nigerians, I have to reconcile with my former boss and enemy because this time around he will anoint me as your president in 2011."

Indeed Atiku has sold himself out with contradiction in terms. In one breathe he enjoined us not to perceive his visit to Abeokuta within the context of his political aspiration. At the same time he said that in politics people associate and come together, forge alliances to promote common interests or struggle to WIN POWER (capital mine)) under a democratic process. The paradox isn't a coincidence but a succinct reflection of Atiku's double-talk; a representation of Nigerian leaders (or is it dealers). I neither blame Atiku nor Obasanjo for their ignominious retreat. Those to be blamed are the Nigerian masses and the Nigerian intellectual class who do not know how to chase those bald-heads out of our cities.

I mean, it is either Nigerian politicians are idiotic in the art of telling lies, or they are so sure that Nigerians are stupid and forgetful. Otherwise I see no other reason for this wandering preacher to come forward with such audacity and tell the nation that he was reconciling with Obasanjo in the interest of the nation. Besides, I wonder what Atiku associates - who were persecuted by Obasanjo for supporting Atiku - would be saying or feeling now. Even I imagine what Ribadu, a young man who was exploited by Obasanjo - would be feeling now. And not to forget those who lost their lives supporting Atiku! This dance of the witches may have thought us another bitter lesson about an inseparable twosome who enjoys eating our bones.

Finally, Atiku in an attempt to make excuses for the Abeokuta trip has only managed to cheat himself. He is like my 2-year-old son who always hides somewhere whenever he wants to pass excreta believing that no one knows what he's doing. However, there's difference between my lovely son and Atiku. Whilst my son is innocent, Atiku is guilty - of murdering the nation with his duplicity. If he eventually becomes another Nigerian dealer in 2011, I believe he won't be different. So, he does not need to tell the truth about his Ota journey. We already know. Of course we knew then that their quarrel was never ideological.

Copyright 2009 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com

Robot  # 1 | 05.02.2009 05:25

I have read Atiku Abubakar's 'The Virtue of Forgivene...' in which the former Nigerian vice-president seriously justified his trip to Abeokuta where he met with his estranged former boss and enemy, Olusegun Obasanjo. In the piece signed by Atiku himself, the ex-custom boy preaches forgiveness using God and religion to maintain, uphold, or defend his penitential arduous journey to Ota holy land. Atiku's journey in politics has always been about wanderingstarting from the PFN days to PDP to AC to PDP to.... Unlike most Nigerians I am not at all surprised about what is now known as a controversial meeting, but I am appalled at the way it happened. One would have expected Atiku to be the host instead of the visitor. After all, it wasn't Atiku that offended Obasanjo rather the other way round. It was the latter who had sent his EFCC bulldog after the former, an action which ...Read the full article.

Utchman  # 2 | 05.02.2009 10:02

This piece brings to fore the grotesque death dance between the Nigerian leader and the follower. The former will stoop to the lowest nadir and tell the barest faced lie to clinch power, knowing the latter suffers incurable amnesia which makes the masses easily forget the past lies and inherent duplicity of their leaders.

Gongo-aso  # 3 | 05.02.2009 16:17

Finally, Atiku in an attempt to make excuses for the Abeokuta trip has only managed to cheat himself. He is like my 2-year-old son who always hides somewhere whenever he wants to pass excreta believing that no one knows what he's doing. However, there's difference between my lovely son and Atiku. Whilst my son is innocent, Atiku is guilty - of murdering the nation with his duplicity. If he eventually becomes another Nigerian dealer in 2011, I believe he won't be different. So, he does not need to tell the truth about his Ota journey. We already know. Of course we knew then that their quarrel was never ideological If Atiku or IBB becomes a president under 1 Nigeria, I will tear my Nigerian passport into pieces. Then I will send it by DHL to whichever of them conquered Nigeria. Reason: There will be no more hope for Nigeria and Nigerians in my life time.

datuouwadaberechi  # 4 | 06.02.2009 10:28

@ gongo aso i feel you oh, my brother. d only thing be say, what if i no get any other passport?? may God forbid that such a thing as IBB or AT will darken the aso high seat. or in fact, any other of those thieves.....

Agidimolaja  # 5 | 08.02.2009 03:02

The downfall of a man,as our people say, is not te end of his life. And in the church I heard it once upon a time that, there is life after death,hence Jesus Christ resurrected. The good thing is that,Nigerians are watching and they are waiting for Atiku. IBB noticed the watching and waiting of Nigerians in 2007,he backed off. He was already oiling his political weapons against 2011 when he noticed one more time that Nigerians are watching and waiting. In a mad haste,IBB dropped out and he declared to Nigerians in the lyrics of our old primary school song: "Babylon is falling,falling,falling; Babylon is falling to rise no more! When you got home,tell your Mama, Babylon is falling,falling,falling, Babylon is falling,to rise no more ...... " At least that was what he told the entire universe,that his political ambition fell,and shall rise no more. Nigerians are watching and waiting for IBB too.