Dear Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,
In the grand theatre of Nigerian politics, few actors have commanded the stage as persistently and passionately as you. From the shadowed primaries of 1993, where you vied against the legendary MKO Abiola in the Social Democratic Party’s ill-fated contest leading to the June 12 election, to your bold challenges in 2007, 2011, 2019, and 2023, your name has become synonymous with unyielding ambition. Even the 2015 APC primary loss to Muhammadu Buhari did little to dim your resolve. Now, as whispers circulate of your intent to mount yet another campaign in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), one cannot help but pause and reflect: Is this the encore Nigeria needs, or the curtain call you deserve?
At nearly 80, you stand as a testament to resilience, often evoking comparisons to Abraham Lincoln, who endured multiple defeats before ascending to greatness. Yet, Lincoln’s story was one of a nation in crisis calling forth a leader at the right moment. Nigeria’s narrative, however, unfolds differently. Our polls have spoken resoundingly across decades, rejecting your bids not out of malice, but perhaps as a gentle nudge from fate. It’s a divine whisper, if you will — one that suggests some paths, no matter how ardently pursued, are not etched in our stars. To chase them eternally risks turning ambition into illusion, a mirage that fades with each electoral sunrise.
Consider, instead, the symphony of successes that already compose your life’s opus. Your ascent in the Nigerian Customs Service to the pinnacle of Assistant Comptroller General speaks of discipline and acumen. Two terms as Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo marked you as a architect of policy and governance, influencing the nation’s trajectory during pivotal years. And beyond public service, your business empire stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial prowess, amassing prosperity that few can rival. Add to this the blessings of good health, a supportive family, and the respect of peers — these are the treasures that life has lavished upon you. What more could the presidency add, save for a title that time itself now deems elusive?
Nigeria, dear sir, hungers for renewal. Our challenges — economic turbulence, security woes, infrastructural decay — demand an energetic, charismatic leader in their prime, a middle-aged visionary unburdened by the weight of decades. Imagine a sprinter handing off the baton mid-race; your wisdom could fuel the next generation’s dash toward progress. By stepping aside, you transform from perennial contender to elder statesman, mentoring the youth, fostering unity across divides, and perhaps even bridging the gaps that have long fractured our polity. History remembers not just those who grasp power, but those who wield influence with grace.
There comes a season in every journey for sober retrospection, a moment to gaze back at the mountains scaled and valleys traversed. For you, that time is now. Let 2027 be the year you author a new chapter — not of contest, but of contribution. Retire the campaign trail for the counselor’s chair; let your legacy inspire, not compete. In doing so, you honour the divine reality that some dreams are meant to evolve, not conquer.
With deepest respect and admiration for your enduring spirit,
Swill Mavua: A Concerned Nigerian Voice
The Straight Talk.
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