Ordinarily, the average Nigerian is quite aware of the deep seated friendship that has over the years, existed between Nigeria’s two top politicians, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Turaki of Adamawa.
According to a popular society magazine in Lagos, Atiku and Tinubu who is now the President of Nigeria, became friends as far back as 1992. A claim that I know is factual.
Which means that, their friendship is now 31 years old. The magazine goes further to describe the two as very good friends.
As a matter of fact, I was a House of Representatives member of the SDP where PBAT was a Senator and Alhaji A. Atiku were prominent members in the Tafida of the world political dynasty. May the soul of Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua rest in peace.
Among two prominent Muslim brothers President Bola A.Tinubu and Atiku, where is the comradeship ? Where is the sunnah?
It is of utmost importance to remind Alhaji Abubakar Atiku that KUN FAYAKUN (When Allah subhanahu wa taala gives the order to anything in the world to be something, it will be, whatever it is & even if we think that it is imposible, it will happen because the will of Allah shall always prevail.)
“Atiku also has tremendous respect for Tinubu’s political sagacity. He calls Asiwaju, Bola. Tinubu also calls him Atiku.
And both know how to make each other laugh, whenever they meet. You need to see the camaraderie they ooze whenever they meet,” added the magazine report.
So what changed the dynamics of the friendship?
It could be recalled that, when Atiku lost grips of PDP momentarily, and lost the presidential primaries to Alhaji Umoru Yar’Adua (RIP) it was Tinubu his friend who rushed to his rescue, to offer Atiku a platform!
One can also recall how Tinubu rescued Alhaji A. Atiku from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was determined to “roast Atiku like goat meat,” as confirmed by Bola Tinubu himself, during one of the APC political rallies that eventually led to his victory at the polls.
An act which shows how valuable Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds friendship in his heart.
Atiku was then able to confidently leave the PDP in 2014, riding on the back of friendship with Tinubu. He joined the All Progressives Congress. A move which some political pundits view as spontaneous saving Atiku from going into irrelevance in the socio-political Nigerian scene!
PBAT is a man of his words as he gave his words to ex- President M Buhari towards 2015 election which led to “Emilokan rant” during 2023 Presidential election campaign.
But that is the same Atiku that today is running helter skelter across the globe, looking for any available scandal to dis favour or ruin the tide of political victory of President Bola Tinubu, his erstwhile bossom friend!
Where lies the camaraderie, the brotherhood they once nurtured, shared and held to their chest?
Has that now been blinded by ambition and sacrificed under the altar of jealousy, recurring to extreme Vendetta to throw the baby away with the dirty water? Apologies to Late Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola (GCFR)
The difference is clear. Atiku has surely showed that Tinubu is a better master of character and attitude!
Out of public view, both men have even been more closer than imagined with both families having mutual respect for each other and bonding in several different ways.
So, one then is forced to ask Atiku, Why the vendetta? Life as it is, has not yet ended today, there’s still a future to be considered and look forward to.
Atiku ought to pause, reflect, comport himself, like our elders say: “you don’t remove the ladder after climbing, you may need the ladder again, in nearest future. At that point, only that same friendship may save you!”
So, Alhaji A Atiku GCON, you should please respect and value the friendship you once shared with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Heating up the polity is highly unnecessary for an elder Stateman which Alhaji A .Atiku is. The peace and tranquility of Nigeria should be paramount.
God bless Nigeria.
