NewStats: 3,264,049 , 8,182,418 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 12:39 PM 4l2x3h

The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, reached the zenith of his ambition to secure the highest office in the country when he recently stirred unbridled controversy by alleging irregularities in the certificates of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

As a supposed seasoned politician with a long and intriguing history in Nigerian politics, those acquainted with Atiku are well aware of his lifelong aspiration to clinch the presidency. However, his journey to attain the prestigious position has been marked by sheer desperation manifested in the ongoing dramatisation of his fabricated Chicago State University saga.

It is also not entirely surprising that Atiku would descend so low to provoke such a widespread public outcry, despite unwavering evidence that contradicts his claims about President Tinubu. Lack of integrity, as it is said, renders a man’s character as hollow as an empty vessel and Atiku’s reputation unmistakably attests to this.

Even during his civil service days, he displayed disloyal tendencies, such as when he, as the Customs Officer overseeing Murtala Muhammed Airport, defied an official directive.

The 53-suitcase scandal, which surfaced in 1984 during the currency exchange operation mandated by then Buhari istration required the inspection of all arriving baggage, irrespective of the traveller’s status. Shockingly, Atiku flouted this regulation thereby causing a major uproar that deeply scandalised the Nigerian government. With a trail of ridiculously shocking questionable wealth, a retinue of wives amidst other needless acquisitions it was unsurprising that Atiku and one of his wives were fingered in a trillion dollar corruption case and placed under close watch by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency of the US Department of Treasury.

Parts of the report revealed that between 2000 and 2008, his fourth wife, Jennifer Douglas who is a US citizen, assisted Atiku, a seating Vice President to launder over $40 million into the United States. The case which was widely and globally published, once more, put Nigeria damagingly on international spotlight, causing a barrage of embarrassment to the country. Most recently, his links to a fraudulent Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) scandal represents just a fraction of the countless corruption tags attached to his name.


Therefore, his constant display of questionable attributes should perhaps come as no shock from a man whose history is marked by dubious antecedents. It is little wonder that his political career has been characterised by a series of twists and turns in his insatiable quest to Nigeria’s Presidency which has morphed into bouts of desperation.

His frustrations are nevertheless understandable. Records have it that in 1993, when he was 47 years old, he ran for the presidency and failed to clinch the seat. Again in 2007, under the Action Congress party, he contested and lost. Also, in 2011, he once more failed at the presidential polls by a wide margin. In between switching parties, he contested in 2015, 2019 and 2023, and suffered irreparable defeats.

It is evident that Atiku is yet to recover from the irreversible loss of the 2023 election which has plunged him into this frantic state, as evidenced by his recent pitiable action of tarnishing the image of President Tinubu and by implication, Nigeria at large. At the age of 76, time has swiftly ed him by. By 2027, provided we are blessed with continued life, Atiku will be about 80, which is undeniably advanced in age and greatly diminishing his electoral prospects. What eludes Atiku’s awareness is that he is now reaping the consequences of his dubious past. Nigerians are not naive enough to elect a man with such a tarnished reputation. It is high time he woke up and smelt the cookie. He should avoid placing blame on others; his past actions are the sole spectre haunting his political aspirations.

Previously, Atiku held the position of Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, serving under President Olusegun Obasanjo. However, his relationship with the former president soured, resulting in his departure from the ruling party at that time, the PDP. In Obasanjo’s words in his book “My Watch” Atiku was described as having corruption tendencies, disloyal, frequent dishonesty, poor judgment, reliance on marabouts, lack of transparency and a willingness to sacrifice ethics and national interest for personal gain. Considering his long-term goal of becoming President, one might have expected Obasanjo to Atiku’s leadership in 2007. However, Atiku’s disloyalty and inability to work as a team player became evident once again before their term ended.

After winning the 2023 Presidential primaries in his party, the PDP, his inability to prove he is an astute leader led to intraparty divisions with his own party under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, turning against him. This indiscretion contributed to his defeat. Desperately too, Atiku has asked Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, fellow Presidential Candidates to jettison their ambitions and him. Laughable! Only a desperate man like Atiku will make his type of suggestions. No one else ever matters. It is only about him Selfishness. This is what narcissism is all about.

All through his history and propelled by desperation, he destroyed his political chances using his own hands. Today he is a drowning man grasping at straws. Trying desperately at every perceived opportunity to grab the presidential seat but so far, his actions have proved futile. It is a pity. Having recently lost at the Presidential Tribunal, he has yet again begun pursuing another illusion, the supposed loopholes in President Tinubu’s certifications. His pain and anger is however understandable; he cannot bear seeing the person who is responsible for his defeat rule peacefully. For the record, despite their brouhaha and intentional propaganda and manipulation of facts, the Chicago State University has claimed President Tinubu as their former student. He not only graduated, but when his letter of ission was issued, it was addressed to a Mr Tinubu. This alone counters the lies around female allegations in his bio and the Chicago State University also confirmed it was a clerical mistake. Despite the noise, the depositions are there on the internet confirming that indeed President Tinubu got a diploma from the institution. It has also clarified that Universities in the US do not prioritise issuance of certificates but only transcripts. In the case of loss of such certificate, as in the President’s case, third parties are allowed to reissue them which is where he obtained his from. For intellectual Nigerians, the cacophony surrounding the matter is baseless; they know the truth. The deposition which is clear and in black and white, serves as a witness of the truth irrespective of activities of mischief makers who are twisting the facts and misleading the public.

Regrettably for Atiku, history will likely him solely as a serial presidential candidate, a bitter runner-up whose desperate actions are gradually eroding what remains of his reputation. Those close to him may advise him; If he believes in Allah and destiny, it is time to take a bow and rest from his political pursuits. Let him take a back seat and play the role of an elder statesman. An old adage says that if a king does not have good advisers, he will one day come out naked. It may be worthwhile for Atiku to embrace the concept of predestination and put an end to this embarrassing charade.

Adamu Mohammed, a political analyst, writes in from Zamfara

https://politicsnigeria.com/atikus-desperation-for-presidency/

Tinubu is the desperate one here


With all the huddles and evidences against him this man is still power intoxicated


Causing sane Nigerians an international embarrassment


Chicago most wanted certificate thief

If na you nko

30 years spending and spending

I am not a fan of Atiku Abubakar but this write-up is a mere trash.

Come on, from time immemorial, politicians and businesspeople have exploited the mistakes, shortcomings, weaknesses, scandals of their opponents or competitors to their advantage. And there are many instances of election losers turning winners overnight in Nigeria because of problems with qualifications, tax returns, age falsification, etc of their opponents. Atiku didn't commit any sacrilege by dragging President Tinubu naked in the market place. He was just trying to play the game the way it has been played from the beginning of time. The fact is that if Tinubu was in Atiku's shoes, he would have done the same or even worse.

By the way, I feel that Tinubu anticipated something like this and worked ahead to surround himself with political heavyweights with heavy hefty wallets and extensive influence.

The lack of from the PDP governors, PDP NASS and other prominent of the party has actually painted Atiku's legal battle as PERSONAL rather than PARTISAN. I am not sure if this aloofness is handiwork of Tinubu or it is just that these PDP heavyweights also have skeletons like Tinubu and therefore considered Atiku's actions as going too far for a mere local political contestation. Whatever it is, Atiku is fast looking like an orphan and may in fact run to Dubai on a long exile when Tinubu exercises his executive power in retaliation.

From all indications, only a miraculously favourable Supreme Court ruling will save him.

Wike has sent atiku to retirement already.

He must labour in vain

Only God knows how much the writer got for this
Congrats to him

festacman:
I am not a fan of Atiku Abubakar but this write-up is a mere trash.

Come on, from time immemorial, politicians and businesspeople have exploited the mistakes, shortcomings, weaknesses, scandals of their opponents or competitors to their advantage. And there are many instances of election losers turning winners overnight in Nigeria because of problems with qualifications, tax returns, age falsification, etc of their opponents. Atiku didn't commit any sacrilege by dragging President Tinubu naked in the market place. He was just trying to play the game the way it has been played from the beginning of time. The fact is that if Tinubu was in Atiku's shoes, he would have done the same or even worse.

By the way, I feel that Tinubu anticipated something like this and worked ahead to surround himself with political heavyweights with heavy war hefty wallets and extensive influence. The lack of from PDP governors, NASS and prominent actually painted Atiku's legal battle as PERSONAL rather than PARTISAN. I am not sure if this aloofness is handiwork of Tinubu or it is just that these PDP heavyweights also have skeletons like Tinubu and therefore considered Atiku's actions as going too far for a mere local political contestation.

Apt!

Hahahaha in a smart way TINUBU decided to finish ATIKU and OBI Politically now 2027 election ATIKU and OBI are Dead politically

festacman:
I am not a fan of Atiku Abubakar but this write-up is a mere trash.

Come on, from time immemorial, politicians and businesspeople have exploited the mistakes, shortcomings, weaknesses, scandals of their opponents or competitors to their advantage. And there are many instances of election losers turning winners overnight in Nigeria because of problems with qualifications, tax returns, age falsification, etc of their opponents. Atiku didn't commit any sacrilege by dragging President Tinubu naked in the market place. He was just trying to play the game the way it has been played from the beginning of time. The fact is that if Tinubu was in Atiku's shoes, he would have done the same or even worse.

By the way, I feel that Tinubu anticipated something like this and worked ahead to surround himself with political heavyweights with heavy war hefty wallets and extensive influence.

The lack of from PDP governors, NASS and prominent actually painted Atiku's legal battle as PERSONAL rather than PARTISAN. I am not sure if this aloofness is handiwork of Tinubu or it is just that these PDP heavyweights also have skeletons like Tinubu and therefore considered Atiku's actions as going too far for a mere local political contestation. Whatever it is, Atiku is fast looking like an orphan and may in fact run to Dubai on a long exile when Tinubu exercises his executive power in retaliation.

From all indications, only a miraculously favourable Supreme Court ruling will save him.

God bless you for being politically enlightened , atiku took a gamble and I'm sure he knows if it doesn't pay off he is doomed , tinubu will come for him both home and abroad , before the elections when emefiele took that naira redesign gamble I said it that if it doesn't work and tinubu wins then the cbn governor is doomed , well we can see what happened, same fate awaits atiku .

And the person that went to cybercafe to print certificate is not desperate

Some might say he is really driven you know

Stop calling him Atiku, his name is Saqiq. On sorry Siddiq.

Atiku can never be president. No matter the number of shenanigans he display, it is not in his destiny.

Rabiu Kwakwanso and El-Rufai have more chance of becoming president than Atiku.

If you no dey Abuja btw now till December you are missing.

Felimax:


Apt!

You and festacman are learners. It's time for Tinubu to fire back and drag Atiku too in public. And this time, Atiku may be over exposed. The election was won by who's more witty.

Make e just go appease Wike, E go dey alright

Bunch of perennial failures in life.
Jagaban will be your President and everyone in your family for the next 8 years.
Live with it.

Nigeria will be great in our lifetime whether the evil ones like it or not.

God bless Our LEADER,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
AKA JAGABAN,
AKA Dem Mama Husband ❤️

Scoundrels

Atiku just like iyamiri's will never rule Nigeria

Atiku us destined to be a failure 😂🤣😀😀😂

Chai..


...and if Atiku go do mistake enta,,

The population go become suya for herders' hand.

Then,
We will continually say may God airpus.

U sabi

This is nothing more than potboiler.Atiku may be desperate but Tinubu has proven to be more desperate considering all he did to force himself into power.

Atiku is on a just cause.

Hm.

Absolutely meaningless write up. Nothing added and nothing taken away from what is awash in the social media. Surely the writer should still be a little boy when the matter of 53 suit cases came up. Even if he was of age, he must be I’ll informed. This write up is simply nothing but showmanship. The writer appears like the APC version of PDP’s Reno Omokri, writing to catch the attention of Tinubu for an office.

Tinubu without equivocation said that the Presidency was his life time ambition. His ers claimed that he carefully planned his way to that office for over 20 years. He’s desperation led to his now famous words (turned into song), emi lo kan. If you call Atiku a desperate man, what then will you call Tinubu himself?

Everyone has a right to aspire to any position that he wants in the country. Even though I disagreed with Atiku’s selection by PDP for the last election, it is in no doubt that he has been exercising his right.

This Mr. Adamu should just focus on other methods of getting himself a position, as Atiku is not his problem.

In all these I learnt some few lessons


1….history do repeat itself

The mistake Jonathan made by allowing governors to defect without thinking of reconciliation is the same mistake atiku made

Jonathan was deceived by bamanga tukur
Atiku was deceived by iyorchia ayu


2…. A poor manager will never win

Atiku made it obvious he was a very very poor leader with the way he handled pdp internal crisis, in all these wike was right n those governors

Y breach an agreement n not even make ways to placate people involved


In all these just pray your enemies make mistake that will lead to your success

Bloody gullible hypocrites.

Teanubu is the one that's not desperate to be president

Noted.

all politicians are desperate no dey decieve yourself atiku, Tinubu and Obi

kk2027:
And the person that went to cybercafe to print certificate is not desperate

How did you get your last UTME score? Hooo! you forged it right?