Former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was one of the most active and hardworking deputies in Nigeria’s history during his first term under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, but became redundant in their second term due to a breakdown in their political relationship.
Speaking in an interview on TVC, Baba-Ahmed noted that Nigerian Presidents often choose capable Vice Presidents but the dynamics of power and politics frequently render them ineffective once in office. He cited Atiku as a prime example, recalling that the former Vice President was initially entrusted with extensive responsibilities because of his strong political background.
“Atiku was one of the busiest VPs Nigeria has ever had during the first term of Obasanjo’s presidency,” Baba-Ahmed said. “Obasanjo, with his military background, picked Atiku, a seasoned politician who had just been elected governor of Adamawa State before stepping down to serve as Vice President. Obasanjo delegated a huge amount of responsibilities to him, and Atiku performed competently well.”
However, Baba-Ahmed explained that tensions between the President and Vice President emerged midway through their administration, leading to Atiku’s marginalization in the second term. “Something happened between the first and second term that affected their relationship, and Atiku ended up being a very idle Vice President for the rest of the second term,” he added.
He highlighted the complexities of Nigeria’s presidential system, where the effectiveness of a Vice President largely depends on the President’s disposition, their personal chemistry, and the influence of political figures surrounding the presidency. “The politics of managing the Vice President’s office is very complex; too many people read meanings into it. Sometimes, it boils down to the mischief of people close to the President who influence the relationship,” Baba-Ahmed explained.
Atiku Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, played a pivotal role in the country’s economic reforms, including privatization initiatives and revenue diversification policies during the early years of the Fourth Republic. His political influence and deep knowledge of governance made him a central figure in Obasanjo’s first-term administration.
The revelation by Baba-Ahmed comes at a time when Atiku remains a significant player in Nigeria’s political landscape, having contested multiple presidential elections and continuing to advocate for restructuring and reforms. His tenure as Vice President is often remembered as a critical period in Nigeria’s democratic transition, making Baba-Ahmed’s comments a fresh perspective on the inner workings of the Obasanjo-Atiku partnership and the challenges of managing power dynamics in Nigeria’s executive arm.
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