Re: Open letter to Atiku Abubakar on the essence of sacrifices

THE COLLECTIVE SACRIFICE IS BETTER: SOUTH EASTERN VICE PRESIDENCY IN 2027 AND PRESIDENCY IN 2031 OR 2035 IS BETTER THAN SOUTH EASTERN NO PRESIDENCY AND NO VICE PRESIDENCY IN 2027 AND PROBABLY PRESIDENCY IN 2039

Mr. Tai Emeka Obasi,

Warm greetings from The Narrative Force, the strategic communications team serving the vision and mission of His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We acknowledge receipt of your open letter to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ( GCON), the Waziri of Adamawa,dated June 10, 2025, which gained significant traction across social media platforms, with a measure of admiration, for your passion, for your persistence, and above all, for your belief in a Nigeria that can work. Your letter reflects deep passion and an earnest desire for justice, a sentiment that deserves understanding. Yet, in politics, passion must be tempered with pragmatism, and aspirations must align with electoral strategy.

However, as Head of Office Surveillance and Intelligence and Chairman of the Anti-Atiku Narrative Counter Committee,The Narrative Force (TNF), it is also my duty to challenge distortions when emotion overtakes logic, and when narratives, however noble in intent, veer into the terrain of fallacies, misinterpretations, and strategic miscalculations. The letter was undeniably extensive, and naturally, such depth invites equally detailed and explicit responses; however, we have chosen to focus our reaction on the core substance of its content.

Let us now take your letter, as passionate as it is, and hold it up to the light of history, facts, and reason.

You suggest that Mr. Peter Obi was “forced” out of the PDP by Atiku. This is a convenient but inaccurate revision of history. Mr. Obi voluntarily joined the PDP and was given a national platform as Atiku’s running mate in 2019, a voluntary gesture extended by Atiku. That alliance elevated him to national prominence. At that time, he was not a foundational stakeholder in the PDP. He was a guest who was warmly welcomed.

In 2022, he exited the PDP days before the primaries, without any coercion or expulsion, because he foresaw he could not secure the ticket. He did not even inform Atiku, a man he claimed to hold dear. Perhaps he knew Atiku would not allow him to exit PDP at that material time.

If Obi was forced out of the party, it was not Atiku that forced him out. Atiku plainly made the case that if he would have to step down, let the presidential ticket of the party be zoned to the South East. And when he noticed a subterfuge without yielding to his pleading, and a thick conspiracy theory was being cooked against his plea, he quickly beat them to the game by obtaining his own presidential form, and of course, that did not stop the zoning. And if zoned to the south east as agitated by Atiku, he would have had reason to withdraw from the race.

Every discerning and unbiased mind knows that the Party Presidential Zoning Committee was peopled by Wike’s protégés and supporters. Chief among them was the Chairman of the Committee, Ortom, and they had the power to declare the party’s presidential ticket zoned to the South. Why didn’t they do that? They were calculative enough to know that if it were zoned to the South, Atiku would continue to insist on the South East and might have reason to put his weight behind Obi or any South Eastern aspirant, as was initially canvassed by Atiku. And to play a fast game, they declared the contest open. Atiku had the latitude, in that declaration, to contest the election.

Let us ask ourselves: what was responsible for making the contest declared open by the Ortom Zoning Committee? Why would anyone be fooled by the argument that it was done because Atiku obtained the form? What was good between damning Atiku’s reactions by zoning the ticket to the South and letting it be on record that Atiku went against the decision of the party and was allowed to participate by declaring it open? He won by the majority vote, and you now decided to work against him and the party?

Every discerning and unbiased mind would agree that Wike had his plan for using Ortom to declare the presidential primary open for all regions, thinking it was by that he would prevent Atiku backing Obi if it were zoned to the South. Don’t forget, Atiku canvassed ab initio that if the zoning would be to the South East, he would accept, since it was obvious only the South East and North East where Atiku hails from that have never had the opportunity to become Nigeria’s President.

The Labour Party offered Obi a blank slate, unencumbered by internal structures or ideological demands. That, Mr. Obasi, is called strategy, not sacrifices.

Let the record show: Atiku did not chase Mr. Obi out. Even Mr. Obi, in his most sincere moments, would hesitate to make such a claim. He walked out, eyes wide open, into a terrain he thought he could conquer, and did impressively well. But let us not now rewrite his exit as martyrdom. There is no need to amplify this falsehood, and we trust that Obi, in good conscience, would be honourable enough to set the record straight.

In the orchard of Nigerian politics, the seeds of ambition are often watered not with sacrifice but with calculation. Mr. Obi, a shrewd political navigator, saw a narrow gate and walked away from a crowded platform. Mr. Peter Obi’s decision to exit the PDP and contest under Labour Party was a significant political risk that speaks to his courage and convictions.

However, in evaluating national viability, history suggests that durable change in Nigeria is rarely achieved through isolated platforms. What the country now demands is not siloed ambition, but a unifying strategy that marries conviction with coalition , a vision Atiku Abubakar has continually championed.

You referenced Tinubu’s 2015 political move as a model for Atiku to emulate. But let’s be precise: Tinubu’s decision to back Buhari was transactional, not transcendental. Buhari brought a northern vote bank; Tinubu offered Southwest machinery.Tinubu made that decision believing he would be Buhari’s Vice Presidential candidate. However, Buhari, in good conscience, rejected the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which prevented Tinubu from proceeding. As compensation, Tinubu was given the opportunity to nominate the Vice Presidential candidate .It was a calculated deal, not a selfless act.

Contrast that with Atiku Abubakar, who:

Accepted questionable electoral outcomes in 2019 and 2023, choosing legal recourse over anarchy.

Has remained steadfast in speaking for democracy, even when others went mute.

True sacrifice is when you place the nation before your ego, not when you cut deals for political returns. Who sacrificed more? The one who negotiated political relevance or the one who has consistently submitted to the rule of law, even at immense personal cost?

Even in 2007, Atiku could have turned the nation into a furnace of discord after the electoral sham. But like the wise elephant who knows its strength and still chooses peace over destruction, Atiku walked the path of law. That is sacrifice, not spoken, but shown.

Your passionate plea for a Southeast presidency in 2027 tugs the heart, but ignores the brain. Nigeria’s presidency is not awarded on the altar of moral sympathy. It is earned through broad-based coalition building, electoral strength, and cross-zonal acceptability.

Let us look at the numbers from the 2023 general election:

APC polled 8,794,726 votes (36.61%)

PDP polled 6,984,520 votes (29.07%)

Labour Party polled 6,101,533 votes (25.40%)

Even in Anambra State, Obi’s home, Labour Party turnout did not match the intensity shown nationwide. The OBIdient Movement, undeniably, marked a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s democratic engagement. It inspired civic reawakening and mobilised millions, especially the youth. However, translating momentum into governance requires deeper coalition-building, cross-zonal penetration, and infrastructural preparedness. That’s where synergy ,not antagonism ,between movements like OBIdients and tested national bridges like Atiku becomes essential.

You cannot govern Nigeria from social media servers and emotional soundbites, even though social media is considered the important medium to sway popular campaigns.However, to reduce Peter Obi to a mere regional player would be a misreading of contemporary electoral currents. His performance in Lagos, Abuja, Plateau, Edo, and parts of the Middle Belt in the 2023 elections is testament to a national resonance that transcended the confines of Igbo ethnic sentiment. What propelled him was not ethnic chauvinism but a moral urgency, a desire for probity in public service, and a hunger for economic sanity. In 2023, many Nigerians ,north and south , saw in Obi a vessel of disruption, a man who could be ethically loud in a morally bankrupt space. That resonance, though still embryonic, hints at a latent national appeal.

In the last election: Atiku Geographic Breakdown – North vs South

Atiku Abubakar – 12 States
Northern States (9):
Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba
Southern States (3):
Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa

Peter Obi – 11 States + FCT (Total: 12)
Northern States (2):
Plateau and Benue
Southern States (9):
Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Edo, Cross River, Delta, Lagos
FCT: Abuja

Candidate Total States + FCT Won Northern Wins Southern Wins

Atiku Abubakar 12 (All states) 9 3
Peter Obi 11 states + FCT (12) 2 9

Takeaway:Atiku’s support was concentrated in the North, but he managed to take three key Southern states.

Obi, in contrast, dominated the South, including all South Eastern states, Lagos, and FCT, while winning two Northern states.

This distribution reflects the distinct regional strengths of both candidates in the 2023 election.

We must be honest: without alliance and coalition, the Southeast may not win the presidency in 2027. And pushing Atiku aside without a tested national alternative only empowers the APC to retain power.

Like the tortoise in the Igbo proverb who slowly but surely arrives at the feast, the Southeast must walk strategically, not sentimentally.

You referenced Atiku’s 2019 pledge in Enugu as a covenant now broken. On the contrary, it is a promise being worked towards, not abandoned.

In 2019, Atiku chose Peter Obi.

In 2023, he chose Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a bridge between the Southeast and South-South with the North.

These choices reflect inclusion, not indifference.

Atiku’s dream has always been to midwife a just, equitable Nigeria where no region feels alienated. But to argue that he owes a specific ticket to a region, regardless of electoral calculations, is to miss the nature of democracy. No region has a monopoly on power, and no region should be excluded. That’s the spirit of zoning, not coercion or guilt-tripping.

He who builds a house must lay the foundation before the roof. Atiku is laying the foundation for Ndi Igbo to reach the rooftop of Aso Rock.

You lamented the 2023 election process, and rightly so. But let the facts speak clearly: it was Atiku who assembled a world-class legal team. It was Atiku who invested in forensic evidence and pursued every judicial remedy to the extent of exposing Tinubu’s controversial age declaration, Chicago State University feminine identity, and the controversial certificates he tendered. With such efforts,in ideal society, Tinubu would not have emerged as president.

It was Atiku who never called for violence but insisted on the sanctity of the rule of law.

In fact, it was Atiku’s situation room that supplied Obi all the evidence, facts, data on which he prosecuted his litigation in the 2023 tribunal. Obi knows this,how deeply Atiku loves,respects and supported him, and he appreciates it.

The Labour Party’s logistical constraints in 2023 , especially with polling agent deployment , highlighted the enormous challenge of contesting against entrenched structures. Atiku Abubakar’s election situation room extended critical support where necessary, not only out of magnanimity but from a shared commitment to electoral justice. That synergy should not be forgotten in framing future cooperation.Yet, not once has Atiku been spared the innuendos constantly hurled by the OBIdient camp.

What more do you expect from a statesman?

If Atiku and Obi could align at the presidential tribunal in 2023, what stops them from aligning now?

The lion does not roar for applause. He roars because silence is betrayal.

You advocate that Atiku step down for 2027 so that he can contest again in 2031. With due respect, that is wishful thinking. And more obvious is that the Southerner Nigeria would be 17 years, 1 month in the presidency and the North 10 years, 11 months by 2027 in this fourth Republic, and any new President from the Southern Nigeria would likely wish to go for a second term, which would make the Northern presidency extended to 2035, with such inequity of 25 years, 1 month against 10 years, 11 months. Do you think this would sound appealing to the North? Did agreement for a single term work in 2015 when the gentleman agreement was broken by a Southern President, and even Obasanjo had to publicly tear his party card for the disappointment in the renege of gentleman agreement?

While regional aspirations are valid, power-sharing in a diverse democracy like Nigeria requires strategic timing, political goodwill, and national consensus. Emotional urgency must be tempered by institutional readiness, electoral strength, and mutual respect among stakeholders.

Politics is not built on IOUs. Ask history.

Indeed, Obi’s greatest asset is not just the OBIdient Movement, but the demography that fuels it: the urban poor, the digitally conscious youth, the underemployed graduate, and the disillusioned middle class. These are not just agitators on Twitter; they are the future voters of Nigeria, increasingly unchained from traditional voting patterns of ethnicity and prebendalism. As Hannah Arendt once noted, “Revolutions are the festivals of the oppressed.” Obi’s momentum represents an evolving festival of democratic rebellion ,a political renaissance that, if well guided and institutionally matured, in partnership with Atiku National appeal could reshape Nigeria’s electoral culture.

The real choice in 2027 is this:

Opposition unity under Atiku to reclaim Nigeria, with Obi or any South Eastern vice-presidential candidate,
OR

A fragmented opposition that paves the way for another APC victory.

There is no middle ground.

Nation-building demands shared sacrifices, not one man stepping aside for another. Atiku is not asking to be crowned. He’s asking for fair consideration based on merit, history, national appeal, and unwavering commitment.

This is why 2027 must not be a battle of egos but a convergence of strategies. The combination of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi , as standard-bearer and running mate, is not just politically expedient; it is morally redemptive. Atiku brings institutional depth, national spread, and decades of experience. Obi contributes fresh energy, integrity capital, and a burgeoning urban and youth constituency. Together, they represent the best of the past and the promise of the future. In a country begging for sobriety and stability, such a partnership would be more than a ticket , it would be a covenant with the Nigerian people.

If sacrifice is the theme, let us all sacrifice:

The North, its quest for equity after 17 years, 1 month of Southern presidency and 10 years, 11 months of Northern presidency.

The South East, its legitimate entitled urgency.

Atiku, his comfort.

The youth, their despair.

Let us unite under one banner, based on competence, not convenience.

Mr. Obasi, your letter will be remembered not for its conclusions, but for the national conversation it provokes. But sentiment is not strategy. Emotion is not a substitute for coalition-building.

If the OBIdient Movement truly desires change, it must abandon unilateralism and embrace partnership. Even Nelson Mandela, with his unmatched moral authority, relied on broad-based alliances to dismantle apartheid.

Atiku Abubakar remains open to every alliance, every region, every possibility, so long as the goal is a better Nigeria. But he will not abdicate his responsibility to offer himself again, if the people believe he is best positioned to redeem this broken republic.

History is not shaped by feelings. It is shaped by readiness. And in 2027, Nigeria must be ready.

Let us not trade a probable victory for a poetic loss.Let us not defer national redemption when unity and strategy can deliver it sooner.Let us rise, together, with the one man who has never wavered.

That man, respectfully, remains Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku Abubakar has never positioned himself as an obstacle to the South East’s legitimate aspirations. Rather, he offers the most viable platform for that aspiration to crystallise , not through exclusionary ultimatums but through inclusive strategy. The road to the presidency is not a sprint of sentiment but a relay of unity. And in this race, we must pass the baton wisely, not drop it on the altar of division.

As we build toward 2027, our focus must also be on grooming the next generation of leaders, north, south, east, and west, who will inherit and deepen the democratic values we defend today. Unity must become the seed, not the fruit, of political succession.

Should the PDP prove unyielding, and the Labour Party unripe for coalition, a third force like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) stands as a promising political ark. If both Atiku and Obi were to subject themselves to the internal democracy of such a neutral platform , not imposing themselves but allowing credible, transparent processes , the outcome would earn national legitimacy.

If Obi emerges as the candidate, there is every moral and political indication that Atiku would throw his full weight behind him and if Atiku emerges the OBIdients should reason why they need to align their aspirations with Atiku. As John Locke reminds us, “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.” That freedom, in 2027, must come from consensus, compromise, and a coalition of courage.

Yours in commitment to a new Nigeria,

Comrade Usman Gajo Elliman
Head of Office Surveillance and Intelligence / Chairman, Anti-Atiku Narrative Counter Committee
The Narrative Force

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