The Betrayal of a Dream: How Atiku Abubakar Undermined the PDP Legacy

By George O. Sylvester (According to Chief Frank Anagu)

Once upon a time in the annals of Nigerian political history, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stood tall as the most beautiful bride of the Fourth Republic graceful, purposeful and built on the sacrifice of visionaries who gave their sweat and soul to end military tyranny. Founded in the wake of national despair, the PDP was not just a party it was a mission, a covenant between the people and democracy.

The party’s roots trace back to the courageous G34 group, a coalition of Nigeria’s finest elder statesmen led by the likes of the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Olu Falae, Pa Abraham Adesanya and other political patriots. Their singular goal: to oust the dictator Sani Abacha and restore the rule of law in a bleeding nation. It was not a game of power, but a fight for Nigeria’s survival. The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), originally founded by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, played a crucial role in that struggle. Upon Yar’Adua’s death, his political heir, Atiku Abubakar, took the reins of PDM and merged it with G34. This union birthed the PDP, a party we all laboured to build.

It is within this historical backdrop that the tragedy of Atiku Abubakar’s political missteps must be critically examined. According to Chief Frank Anagu, a founding member and former Chairman of the PDP South Africa Chapter and former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), the party’s decline is not accidental it is the result of avoidable betrayals, unholy alliances and a chronic lack of discipline and ideological clarity from leaders who should have known better.

When the PDP was being formed, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was still incarcerated. Upon his release and in a spirit of national healing, the party’s founding fathers approached him to serve as a one-term transitional president. His mission was clear: to rein in the military, professionalize the armed forces and restore Nigeria to democratic sanity. Atiku Abubakar, in what was then considered an act of patriotism, supported Obasanjo’s emergence against the grain of party elders.

But power, as always, reveals the character of men. Once in office, Obasanjo reneged on the gentlemen’s agreement and sought a second term. Rather than defend the original covenant with the party’s founders, Atiku betrayed that agreement and justified it by saying Obasanjo had “knelt down” to beg for his support. At that time, Atiku wielded immense power controlling 28 PDP Governors and could have restored principle over politics. Instead, he enabled the betrayal. That was the first mistake.

On December 14, 2004, during the African National Congress (ANC) Convention in Stellenbosch, South Africa, a defining moment unfolded. Chief Frank Anagu, then PDP Chairman in South Africa, was at the Cape Town International Airport to receive Vice President Atiku Abubakar. With him were Chief Charles Rapuluchukwu Ufochukwu (PDP Chairman, Western Cape) and Dr. Tunji Olagunju (then Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa). But to their astonishment, the first person to step off Atiku’s flight was none other than Bola Ahmed Tinubu accompanied by Bayo Ojo. A chill ran down the spines of those present. This was no ordinary visit; it was a political omen.

Chief Frank Anagu, addressing Atiku, cautioned him strongly: “Be very careful about those who do not want you to be President of Nigeria.” The ambassador himself nodded in agreement and clapped, a silent but firm endorsement of the warning. Yet, Atiku, ever dismissive of internal wisdom, defended his closeness with Tinubu in front of the Nigerian community. Worse still, he uttered the words that would haunt him for years: “I can be President of Nigeria with or without Obasanjo.” That arrogance, that detachment from political reality, marked the beginning of his downfall.

Atiku’s perpetual DECAMPING from PDP to Action Congress (AC), then back to PDP, then to APC and again back to PDP reflects a man not anchored by principle but by political survivalism. Such instability has led to the erosion of the PDP’s ideological identity, resulting in the disillusionment of party faithful across the nation and in the diaspora.

Today, the PDP is a shadow of its former self not because it lacked talent or vision, but because leaders like Atiku failed to embody consistency, discipline and loyalty. Chief Frank Anagu, having served in several capacities within the PDP and having witnessed firsthand the integrity of the party’s formation, laments what the party has become: “This is not the party we fought to build. It was a dream born from sacrifice. Now, it is threatened by selfish ambition.”

The lesson here is simple: no political movement can survive the constant betrayal of its founding ideals. The PDP was never designed to be a one-man show, but a collective platform of patriotic Nigerians committed to unity, equity and justice. Atiku’s political zig-zagging and refusal to reconcile sincerely with key party blocs has cost the PDP dearly.

But all hope is not lost. In the spirit of political redemption, Chief Frank Anagu offers strategic advice: “Now that the Labour Party is in disarray, Atiku must be bold and humble enough to forge an alliance with the Obidient movement of Peter Obi.” This is not about Peter Obi or Atiku alone, it is about rebuilding the foundation of democratic politics in Nigeria. A merger of credible forces is not only strategic, it is necessary for survival.

The 2027 elections present a critical opportunity. Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of recycled confusion. A coalition that unites the PDP’s experience with the energy and idealism of the Obidient movement may very well be the last hope of rescuing Nigeria from the grip of impunity and visionless governance.

Chief Frank Anagu’s reflections must not be dismissed as mere nostalgia. They are a wake-up call. The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on whether leaders are willing to set aside ego for purpose, ambition for nationhood and manipulation for morality.

Let this serve as a historic record. The PDP was built on blood, sweat and a dream. It must not be allowed to die at the hands of those who benefited most from its birth. Nigeria deserves better. And so does the People’s Democratic Party.

Dangote Donates N15billion To University

…Offers Automatic jobs To Best graduating Students

 

Group President of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has announced the donation of a whooping N15billion to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil(ADUSTECH), Kano State.

Mr. Dangote, who is also the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) was reappointed the Chancellor of the University.

In his speech at the 5th convocation ceremony, he said the University must be repositioned to lead the race of producing cutting edge research and highly skilled manpower that meets the requirements of market demands, industries and real problem solvers in the Nigerian society.

He said: “It is in this vein that I wish to use this opportunity to announce the launch of the 5-year Development plan which I envision for this institution.

“Over the next 5 years, we will commit the sum of N15 billion to the following projects: the design and construction of additional student hostels; the design and construction of a world class Engineering Lab; the design and construction of a world class multipurpose computer lab -open to all students of the institution which will also be equipped with 24-hour internet access to support academic research and the installation of a mini-solar plant to support access to power on campus.”

He added that: “We also undertake to design and construct a befitting Senate building that will house the administration of this institution. Finally, we will also reserve post-NYSC employment slots for the best performing graduates in Engineering and other related courses that form part of our areas of interest at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Plant and Dangote Cement Plants.”

Mr. Dangote said the funding for such an institution places a significant burden on the government, which is why, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, it was able to offset the University’s electricity bill to ease the strain on their finances.

“Additionally, to support the infrastructural drive of the University, we built two blocks of Male and Female Hostels with 500 bed spaces each.

“We also ensured the availability of electricity in a specialized University like ours for continuous teaching, learning and research, via the connection of the University to a 33KVA line, and provided a 2.5 MVA transformer and six (6) step-down transformers. This, I believe, has gone a long way in solving the energy needs of the University.”

Dangote therefore congratulated the vision of those who dreamt of the institution 25 years ago.

“An institution that began with a student population of 88, today has a population of more than 21,877 students and this combined convocation has a total of about 18,000 graduates. This is indeed a milestone,” he added.

In his address, Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf of Kano State commended Mr. Dangote for contributing financially and morally towards the development of the University, adding that, “all of us will continue to remember you as a visionary and African illustrious industrialist.”

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasa said 18,000 students were being celebrated during the convocation ceremony, having graduated from the university in the last ten years to date.

Business mogul Chief Arthur Eze, founder of Max Air and billionaire Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, Senior Advocate Ahmad Adeniyi Raji, and oil magnate and founder of Amasco Oil Al-Mustapha Ado bagged honorary doctorate degrees.

The VC said the University has recorded significant strides in its academic journey to greater heights, including program accreditation and a mathematical digital model designed by a university product, Mahmoud Mubarak, for measuring deforestation density.

Prophetic Confirmation: Prophet Kingsley Aitafo’s Revelation Unfolds Again

Renowned prophetic voice and spiritual leader Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, has once again stirred spiritual and global conversations with the fulfillment of one of his recent prophecies—this time concerning the alarming escalation of military tensions between India and Pakistan.

In a previously shared prophetic message, the seer warned:

“Let us continue to pray against a third world war. I see something like a mini-war. Also, let us gather and pray against another ailment coming to the earth—one more deadly than COVID-19.”

As of today, these words have taken on a troubling resonance. India and Pakistan have reportedly entered their most intense military confrontation in decades, with hostilities extending well beyond the long-disputed Kashmir region. Multiple credible international reports confirm drone and missile attacks between the nations, sparking fears of a broader conflict.

Stephanie Bennett, reporting from London, noted:

“It’s the biggest military conflict in decades between India and Pakistan, and there’s no clear end in sight. What began in Kashmir has rapidly escalated into widespread artillery and drone warfare, with both sides claiming to be acting in retaliation.”

Despite assurances from Indian forces of a desire to avoid further escalation, tensions remain dangerously high. Both countries, equipped with nuclear capabilities, are under global scrutiny as concerns mount over the potential for further escalation into a catastrophic war.

Each side denies initiating the aggression, placing blame squarely on retaliatory measures. However, with rhetoric intensifying and the threat of nuclear engagement looming, international observers are calling for immediate de-escalation and diplomatic intervention.

This latest development raises concerns on the geopolitical front and highlights the prophetic accuracy of Prophet Aitafo’s warnings, sparking renewed calls for prayer, spiritual sensitivity, and preparedness in uncertain times.

As his warnings continue to unfold with uncanny accuracy, many are asking: Are we heeding the signs, or ignoring divine instructions?