Atiku and Buhari: The difference is clear

By Seun Babajide

Though age wise, Atiku Abubakar is only four years younger than Buhari, there seems to exist a world of difference in their abilities and competencies. And this is reflected in the physical, mental and social aspects of their beings.

The two candidates have noticeable differences in the robustness of their health, vision, brilliance, leadership qualities and their commitment to the constitution and the rule of law.

Atiku was recently referred to by a foremost nation-builder and General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare as a WAZOBIA man, a testament to his capacity to unite the country. President Buhari’s clannish and ethnocentric antecedents are a testament to his divisive nature. (We won’t forget his infamous 97 per cent and 5 per cent categorisation) in a hurry.

Here are some other obvious differences between the two candidates:

• While Muhammadu Buhari’s government has been busy granting amnesty and paying ransom to Boko Haram, Atiku has been quietly fighting the Boko Haram ideology by giving scholarships to young people and helping many pay for WASSCE.
• While President Buhari tagged many Nigerian youths as idle and lazy in front of the global media, Atiku has been celebrating the achievement of our youths, directly employing several thousands of them in his workforce.
• While Buhari told young people not to contest against him in 2019 and his Communication Minister infamously described a young presidential candidate as an inconsequential dreamer, Atiku – who has always identified with young people – wants to include 40% youths in his cabinet if elected.
• While Buhari and his military cohorts truncated democracy by overthrowing a democratically elected government in a coup in 1983, Atiku quietly stood down as MKO Abiolaclinched the nomination at the SDP presidential primaries of 1992.
• While Buhari has engaged in an insincere ‘fight’ against corruption using crude tactics in which his allies and cronies are protected and others are continually harassed, Atiku on the other hand believes in fighting corruption through prevention, attitudinal reorientation for Nigerians and the use of technology.

By their actions and words you shall know them:

“I have always said oil is not Nigeria’s greatest asset. Our greatest asset is our youths who created Nollywood out of nothing and an entertainment industry that is second to none in Africa. Our youth are charting new frontiers; creating a huge tech industry on their own. Their entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and creative capabilities are things of pride and should be applauded, encouraged and nurtured.” – AtikuAbubakar

“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30. A lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free.” – Muhammadu Buhari

This extract is from Seun Babajide’s new book: ‘A is better than B’