Atiku Abubakar
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| Atiku Abubakar | |
| Image:Wwwjjan3.jpg <small/> | |
| | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 29, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | incumbent |
| President | Olusegun Obasanjo |
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| Born | November 25, 1946 Adamawa State, Nigeria |
| Political party | People's Democratic Party |
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Turakin Adamawa), GCON (born 25 November 1946) has been Vice-President of Nigeria since 1999. He is originally from Adamawa State and is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
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[edit] Background
Mr 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 President 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, including his boss - Olusegun Obasanjo. 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. He was alleged to have waived all formality to let the Emir and his entourage through without even searching one suitcase. Most customs officers at the scene were shocked and appalled. It was also later alleged that many of the suitcases were filled with money. 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 chargrin of the Head of State's then ADC, Maj. Mustafa Jokolo, who was also 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 conspired 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).
[edit] 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" <ref>Atiku's Mansion and the War on Corruption Elendu Reports, 17 August 2005</ref>. 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 Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, is believed to be an Ilesha-born Roman Catholic from Osun State in western Nigeria; 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 Iwendiora, 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 Muslims aristocrats.
He is perceived by some close friends of his, who are predominantly of northern Christian extraction, as a moderate who would be fairer to Christians, in comparison to other Northern Muslim aspirants; though these days Nigerian Christians hardly give much thought to who's likely to be impartial and unbaised as they themselves have become just as radicalized as the Muslim population after decades of marginalization and playing second fiddle. <ref>Obasanjo accuses deputy of fraud BBC News, 7 September 2006</ref> 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 <ref>Nigeria's ruling party in split BBC News, 10 June 2006</ref>. 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 furore, the Nigerian Supreme Court eventually ruled that any amendments allowing Obasanjo to run for another term were untenable.
[edit] Controversy
In August, 2005 Abubakar surfaced in a report by the BBC Worldservice <ref>US probes Nigeria vice-president BBC News, 29 August 2005</ref>, 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. So far, according to the FBI, there is no evidence that Mr Abubakar sought nor received bribe; which makes some skeptics think that Atiku may be a target of witch-hunt <ref>FBI Says Jefferson Was Filmed Taking Cash The Washington Post, May 22, 2006</ref> Jefferson had collected the money from a business partner to give to Atiku, but the marked money was later found in the Congressman's house wrapped in a foil and neatly tucked away in a freezer.
Atiku is sometimes his own worst enemy: It was reported by many newspapers that he was witnessed by a large crowd ordering his aides to physically assault Akintunde Akinleye, a Daily Independent photojournalist (in full public glare) for having written a disparaging article about him. Several weeks after this nasty incident, Atiku made a public statement where, instead of apologising, rather justified his action and blamed the journalist for the brawl. Even though, Mr Abubakar offered to replace Mr Akinleye's damaged camera, this particular incident and others have not endeared him to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, who have been up-in-arms against him.
Beyond this, Atiku's political future remains a matter of conjecture. President Obasanjo has asked the Senate to look into the report of an investigation into the Vice President's alleged fraudulent practices.
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. <ref>PTDF: Forensic Investigation Indicts Atiku ThisDay, 18 September 2006</ref>
[edit] Presidential run
On 25 November 2006 Abubakar annouced that he would run for President but did not say which party he would represent [1].
[edit] Official website
He has also inugrated the presidential campaign committee spear headed by Prof Iyu, Bugage, Professor Musa Yakubu and many other top politicians in the country. Atiku has been linked with AC as a platform to pursue his presidential bid but time will tell as the nation and Atiku wait for the PDP primaries.
[edit] Notes
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