Atiku Abubakar

Infobox Vice President
name=Atiku Abubakar


order= 11th Vice President of Nigeria
term_start=May 29, 1999
term_end=May 29, 2007
president=Olusegun Obasanjo
predecessor= Mike Akhigbe
successor=Goodluck Jonathan
birth_date=Birth date and age|1946|11|25|mf=y
birth_place=Adamawa State, Nigeria
party=Action Congress
spouse=|
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Turakin Adamawa), GCON (born 25 November 1946) was the Vice-President of Nigeria [ [http://www.independentngonline.com/news/127/ARTICLE/17544/2006-12-24.html Obasanjo Sacks Atiku] Sunday Independent, 24 December 2006] from 1999 to 2007. He is a native of Adamawa State and was a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) until being expelled in 2006 when he switched affiliation to the Action Congress party.

Background

Abubakar came up the ranks of the ruling PDP primarily, due to the pivotal role he played in its formation. He was also an ardent opponent of General Sani Abacha, the late dictator. Atiku's source of wealth has caused some curiosity among Nigerians but that also goes for many other wealthy Nigerians. He has said in a new biography yet to be published that he made his money, "through wise investments, hard work and sheer luck of being at the right place at the right time," but many think this statement is just a smokescreen.

He worked as a Customs Officer for twenty years, rising to the rank of Deputy Director before turning to business and politics in 1989. While serving as a Customs officer in charge at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos in 1984, the infamous "53 suitcases" scandal belonging to the late Emir of Gwandu happened. This incident incensed the then Head of State, General Buhari and his Deputy, Brig. Tunde Idiagbon, who ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter, to the chagrin of the Head of State's then ADC, Maj. Mustafa Jokolo, who was, incidentally, the Emir's first son.

The Finance Minister at the time, Onaolapo Soleye and another young but influential Army Officer, Col. Chris Alli, tried in vain to plead Atiku's case before Buhari and Idiagbon. Fate was later to conspire in Abubakar's favour just as his trial was all set to go ahead: General Ibrahim Babangida, in an effort to save his own skin, overthrew the Buhari regime. This worked perfectly well for Atiku Abubakar, who was eventually eased out of office (effectively sacked). A counter-view is however posited by Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who records, "Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo...to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment...of the Customs Officer (Atiku) who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage" (The Guardian, Feb. 6, 2007, p2)

Vice Presidency

Since becoming Vice President in 1999, he has presided over the National Council on Privatization during which hundreds of loss-making and poorly managed public enterprises were sold off in a manner that has prompted more questions than answers. There have been wild allegations that Atiku engaged in unwholesome practices during the privatization of some of those previously State-owned parastatals. President Obasanjo's son, Gbenga, alluded to this allegation in an interview with an internet-based journal, Elendu Reports, where he insinuated that Atiku "sold Pentascope to himself". [ [http://elendureports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=33 Atiku's Mansion and the War on Corruption] Elendu Reports, 17 August 2005] These allegations, yet again remain unproven, though many political analysts see him, rather sympathetically, as a man who is more prone to cock-ups than conspiracy.

Abubakar's first and most senior wife Hajia Titi Abubakar, is believed to be an Ilesha-born Roman Catholic, hailing originally from the Togolese Republic; together they have four children and two grandchildren. He has three other wives: Rukayat (the daughter of the Lamido of Adamawa, an influential monarch); Fatima, a lawyer based in Lagos and Jamila (AKA Jennifer Iwenjiora, an Ibo woman from Onitsha, who was a former television newscaster and now a doctoral degree student in the United States). As a result, political associates and critics, tend to agree Atiku is one of the most detribalized northern Muslim aristocrats.

The role played by Atiku in a 'state of emergency' invoked on Plateau State also gives credence to his support for fairness to people of other faiths.

In 2006, Atiku had in a face-off with his direct superior, President Olusegun Obasanjo, due to the latter's eventual failed attempts to amend certain provisions of the constitution in order to take another shot at the presidency (for the third consecutive time). It is unclear whether Atiku's opposition to President Obasanjo's inordinate ambition was altruistic or selfish. Nonetheless, Atiku had never hidden his interest in the coveted post. The debate and acrimony generate by the failed constitutional amendment has caused a rift in the People's Democratic Party. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5068076.stm Nigeria's ruling party in split] BBC News, 10 June 2006] It also appears to have irreparably damaged both men's political and personal relationship, of which, Mr Abubakar, from all indications, is feeling the brunt of it. Despite the furor, the Nigerian National Assembly eventually voted against any amendments allowing Obasanjo to run for another term.

Controversy

In August, 2005 Abubakar surfaced in a report by the BBC World Service, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4192186.stm US probes Nigeria vice-president] BBC News, 29 August 2005] as the intended recipient of a bribe as part of a scheme involving United States Congressman Bill Jefferson to promote Nigeria's adoption of internet technology from the American firm iGate, Inc. According to the FBI, Jefferson allegedly told an informant that he would need to give Abubakar $500,000 "as a motivating factor" for business contracts, but there is no evidence that Abubakar received [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/21/AR2006052100167.html FBI Says Jefferson Was Filmed Taking Cash] , "The Washington Post", May 22, 2006] nor soughtFact|date=April 2007 such a bribe, which makes some skeptics think that Atiku may be a target of a witch-hunt.Fact|date=April 2007 Jefferson had allegedly collected $100,000 from a business partner to give to Atiku, but $90,000 of the marked money was later found in the Congressman's house wrapped in a foil and neatly tucked away in a freezer.

On September 18, 2006, Abubakar was indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which alleged that he had embezzeled ₦71,123,250,000 in campaign funds and made various bribes. [ [http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=58627 PTDF: Forensic Investigation Indicts Atiku] ThisDay, 18 September 2006]

Presidential run

On 25 November 2006 Abubakar announced that he would run for President; he did not announce immediately which party he would represent, although he inaugurated a presidential campaign committee. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6184156.stm "Nigeria VP to run for president"] , BBC News, November 25, 2006.]

On 20 December 2006, he was chosen as the presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC). [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=86&art_id=qw1166719141680A165 "Nigerian president withdraws VP's jet in feud"] , Reuters ("IOL"), December 21, 2006.]

On 15 March 2007, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final list of 24 aspirants for the 21 April presidential election. Abubakar's name was conspicuously missing even though he is seen by many as the only 'credible' opposition candidate to the powerful ruling PDP party in the election.

In a statement released by INEC, it states that Abubakar's name was missing because he is on a list of officials indicted for corruption by a panel set up by the ruling government. The creation of this list is seen by many as a tool to weed out opponents of the PDP who may have a strong showing in the forthcoming polls. This school of thought is supported because officials like Andy Uba, a former presidential adviser to Obasanjo, is being allowed to contest in the polls despite a history of well publisised fraudulent activities, i.e fake educational certificates and money laundering charges in the USA. INEC disqualified Abubakar even though there is a court judgement which states that INEC doesn't have the power to disqualify candidates. INEC appealed this court decision and this move has cast doubts on the neutrality of INEC as an umpire in the forthcoming elections.

Abubakar headed to the courts on 16 March to get his disqualification overturned despite a statement from the INEC chairman which says it will be impossible for him to contest even if he gets a judgement in his favour as it will be logistically impossible to reprint ballot papers and distribute them round the country before the April polls.

According to reports on 26 March on a Nigerian newspaper run website, Professor Iwu, the chairman of INEC may be prepared to adhere to a court ruling in the case of Abubakar but with the caveat that it has to be a ruling by the supreme court. His words “Yes, he (Abubakar) will run if the Supreme Court says so. This is where the logistics issue actually comes in. We must have our own fallback preparation. I am not the type that makes plan without having plan A, B, and C. If the Supreme Court decides that, we will obey the Supreme Court.” [http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2007/mar/26/national-26-03-2007-01.htm]

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on 16 April that INEC has no power to disqualify candidates. The ruling allowed Abubakar to contest the election, although there were concerns that it might not be possible to provide ballots with Abubakar's name by 21 April, the date of the election. [ [http://apanews.net/article_eng.php3?id_article=25789 "Supreme Court ruling casts a shadow over Nigerian elections"] , African Press Agency, April 16, 2007.] On 17 April, a spokesman for INEC said that Abubakar would be on the ballot. [ [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=86&art_id=nw20070417132554618C925706 "Abubakar to run for Nigerian Presidency"] , AFP (IOL), April 17, 2007.]

According to official results, Abubakar took third place, behind PDP candidate Umaru Yar'Adua and ANPP candidate Muhammadu Buhari, with about 7% of the vote (about 2.6 million votes). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6584393.stm "Huge win for Nigeria's Yar'Adua"] , BBC News, April 23, 2007.] He rejected the election and said that it should be cancelled and held again, describing it as Nigeria's "worst election ever". [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/30E1A74B-1894-47BE-AC3C-5CDF52AE71E9.htm "Yar'Adua wins Nigeria elections"] , Al Jazeera, April 23, 2007.]

He said that he would not attend Yar'Adua's inauguration on 29 May due to his view that the election was not credible, saying that he did not want to "dignify such a hollow ritual with my presence". [ [http://www.tribune.com.ng/28052007/news/news4.html "Why I won’t attend Yar’Adua’s inauguration - Atiku"] , "Nigerian Tribune", May 28, 2007.]

Trivia

Atiku was mentioned as part of a Saturday Night Live skit mocking the 2000 US Presidential debate between Al Gore and George W Bush. Bush (played by Will Ferrell), attempts to prove his competence in foreign affairs, as he discusses the Nigerian Government: "I've been very impressed with the new leadership over there, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, his special assistant, Mr. Tunde Olusunle, even the Director General of Public Enterprise Mr. Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai. They're all top notch." [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0010/16/cf.00.html] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKCVlxbTync ]

References

External links

* [http://www.atikuabubakar.net The official website of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar]
* [http://www.atiku2007.tk Atiku2007.tk - Website advocating for Atiku's 2007 presidential campaign]
* [http://www.freechoice2007.org/ FreeChoice2007.org - another website for Atiku's 2007 campaign]
###@@@KEY@@@###succession box|title=Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Nominee
start=2004|before=None|after=Goodluck Jonathan|years=1999 (won), 2003 (won)succession box
title=Vice President of Nigeria
before=Mike Akhigbe
after=Goodluck Jonathan
years=1999–2007succession box|title=Action Congress Presidential Nominee
start=2004|before=None|after=None| years=2007 (Lost)