2015: CAN ‘NEW PDP’ SURVIVE, AS OBASANJO FIGHTS ATIKU?

When former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar led governors of Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa, Rivers, Adamawa, Niger and Kwara states to walkout on President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of the “old PDP”, he received applause from many PDP faithful that are fed up with the leadership of the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and President Jonathan. The opposition parties were happy too as they witnessed perhaps the beginning of the end of the so-called biggest party in Africa. It was the clearest sign yet that Atiku is likely to contest the 2015 presidential election with or without the PDP. But the lingering question is what becomes of the presidential ambition of Governor Sule Lamido, who has already been anointed “presidential material” by Obasanjo. It was therefore obvious that the ambition of Atiku will eventually destroy the New PDP. Let us also not forget that the governors that staged the walkout with the exception of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, are “Obasanjo Boys”. Obasanjo that we know will never allow Atiku to take advantage of the grievances the governors hold against PDP and Jonathan to re-launch his presidential ambition. The recent interview Obasanjo granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), magazine Zero Tolerance, where he described Atiku as a corrupt leader is a pointer to what Obasanjo thinks of his “boys” romance with Atiku. Obasanjo even alleged that Atiku would be arrested by the Americans if he enters the United States. Of course Atiku has denied the allegation insisting that he visits United States anytime he has any business to do there. But suffice to say that with Obasanjo in the picture, the unity of Atiku and the G-7 cannot be guaranteed.