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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Ahead of the next election cycle in 2027, the National Vice Chairman (North West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad has advised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to perish the thought of vying for the Office of the President.
This is just as he urged the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to tread softly in his new political alignment following his resignation from the APC.
El-Rufai, since his resignation from the APC has morphed into a serious opposition figure not only because of his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but also because of his courage in rallying disgruntled members of the ruling party to join him to oust APC in 2027.
Despite their past political differences, Atiku and El-Rufai are reportedly building a strong coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
In an open letter addressed to the former Vice President on Tuesday, Datti urged the Wazirin Adamawa to “Perish the thought of another presidential contest” and instead embrace his role as a statesman. He pointed out Atiku’s long history of presidential bids, dating back to 1993.
“As we approach the next general elections, you are at it again. However, this time around, having sensed that your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP may not cede the presidential ticket to you, you are now considering joining forces with some aggrieved politicians to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.
“For you, Alhaji Atiku, our former Vice President, my freehearted advice is that in your best interest and the interest of Nigerians, it is better you drop the idea of contesting for president in 2027, by which time you would have already turned 80 years,
“Wazirin Adamawa, you should rather remain the elder statesman that you currently are. Me thinks you shouldn’t waste your time and resources. At least, you should take a cue from another former Vice President, Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, who has been operating in the background and remains an elder statesman since he left office in 2015, ” the letter read in part.
That said, Datti urged Atiku to stop listening to characters like El-Rufai, who “Are dangling the carrot of a coalition before him. In truth, even if you contest, you have nothing new to offer.
“Remember, you are also a proponent of subsidy removal. It is on record that, as Vice President, you spearheaded the privatization of some key national assets when you chaired the committee on privatization during the Obasanjo administration, while former governor El-rufai was the Director General of the Bureau for Public Privatization (BPP).”
Addressing El-Rufai, Datti, who also chairs the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Governing Board, implored him to reconcile with the APC, emphasizing his status as a founding member.
“It is on record that you were part of the founding members of the APC. Having worked for the party tirelessly and served as governor under its platform for eight years, it is rather worrisome that you decided to leave APC at this critical point.
“While still serving as governor in 2022, during one of your media chats, you averred that ‘the moment I leave APC, then I have quit politics altogether.’ At this critical point, you should ponder and reconcile with the APC or quit politics altogether.
“The world knows that it was you who announced that you were not interested in any position in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Why should you turn to a critic overnight just because you perceived things were not going your way when you had unfettered access to the leadership of the party and the President?
“As someone who was once close to you, I want to advise you to refrain from using emotions, sentiments, and unsubstantiated claims/allegations in politics.”
The letter further read, “I would like to tell you for free that no PDP governor will join the SDP because their party already has a structure on the ground. Who will leave certainty to uncertainty? You may end up committing a serious miscalculation.
“Frankly speaking, I think you should reflect deeply. One would expect that as a leading figure who supported the presidency to go to the South in 2023, you would support the zone to finish its eight years before canvassing for the rotation of the position to the North.”
He commended the effort of the Federal Government in alleviating the plight of Nigerians.
“The Tinubu administration is also working assiduously to make life better for Nigerians following subsidy removal. Naira is now gaining strength by the day. Prices of foodstuffs are dropping drastically by the day. The economy is gradually taking a new turn,” he added.