Political Panorama Issue No 12
Nigeria today stands precariously at the edge of a precipice—economically battered, socially disoriented, and politically adrift. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent unveiling of Sabuwar Tafiya (translated from Hausa as "A New Journey") could not have come at a more critical moment in the nation's trajectory. The movement signals not just a bid for the 2027 presidency but a bold response to a failing system and a clarion call for national renewal.
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| President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar Status Quo versus New Path |
A Nation in Crisis: The
Justification for a New Path
The
justification for a new political movement is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s
current state of affairs. The economic situation is dire: inflation soared to 31.7%
as of February 2025—its highest in nearly three decades—eroding the
purchasing power of millions and plunging families into desperation (NBS,
2025). Nigeria’s unemployment rate stands at 33.3%, with youth
unemployment reaching 53.4%, according to the National Bureau of
Statistics.
Furthermore,
Nigeria now ranks among the countries with the highest levels of multidimensional
poverty, with over 133 million Nigerians living in conditions of overlapping
deprivations (NBS, 2022). This figure has likely worsened given recent
subsidy removals, erratic power supply, and declining public services.
On
the security front, the Northwest and Middle Belt regions remain under siege
by bandits, while terrorism and kidnapping have become a daily reality in
the Southeast and Southwest. The Global Terrorism Index consistently
ranks Nigeria among the most terror-affected countries in the world (Institute
for Economics & Peace, 2024).
Against
this backdrop, the government's response has been lethargic, inconsistent, and
shrouded in opacity. The frequent absence of President Bola Tinubu from the
country, often without public briefings or tangible diplomatic gains, has
fueled doubts about leadership coherence and raised constitutional
concerns about transparency and responsibility.
Further
complicating the legitimacy challenges facing the Nigerian state is a recent
ruling by a U.S. Federal Court directing the FBI and DEA to release documents
concerning past allegations linked to President Tinubu, including matters
related to drug trafficking and certificate authenticity (United States
District Court, 2024). While these developments have sparked intense political
debate, it is important to approach them not as partisan smears but as legal
processes with potential implications for Nigeria’s international reputation
and domestic moral compass.
In
any functioning democracy, leadership encompasses more than electoral
victory—it requires a consistent commitment to transparency, accountability,
and public trust. The administration’s continued silence on these unfolding
issues may inadvertently deepen public concerns about governance standards and
reinforce the broader perception of elite insulation from ethical scrutiny.
Sabuwar Tafiya: A Moral and Strategic Reset
Sabuwar Tafiya offers a much-needed political reset, built on
broad-based national dialogue. Unlike traditional campaigns, Sabuwar Tafiya is
not just about personalities—it is about reconstructing political consensus
across Nigeria’s fragmented landscape.
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| Atiku Abubakar Calling for a new Path |
The
former vice president’s call to the youth—“Don’t be distracted by people giving
you pennies or kobos here and there… and abandon your future”—is a direct
confrontation with the culture of transactional politics that has
stifled Nigeria’s progress for decades (Daily Post Nigeria, 2025). It is a call
for civic consciousness and generational responsibility.
Importantly,
Atiku’s ongoing consultations with members of the APC, PDP, Labour Party,
and others signal a break from partisan isolationism and an embrace of inclusive
political engineering—the type Nigeria desperately needs.
The Shameful Rejection by PDP
Governors: A Betrayal of the People
In
what can only be described as a betrayal of national hope, several PDP
governors have reportedly rejected the coalition idea under Sabuwar Tafiya,
choosing instead to protect their narrow political fiefdoms and personal
influence. Their decision is not driven by ideology, nor by any superior vision
for Nigeria, but by the selfish instinct to preserve power, control party
structures, and continue benefiting from a rotten status quo.
Nigerians must reject these governors. Their opposition to a national
coalition for renewal is a deliberate obstruction of progress. It brings
neither joy nor hope to the suffering masses but guarantees the continuity
of poverty, the expansion of unemployment, and the preservation
of insecurity.
These
governors have shown no urgency in addressing the plight of their states, and
now they stand in the way of national rebirth. Their rejection of Sabuwar
Tafiya is a rejection of the Nigerian people.
Let
it be clear: those who stand against coalition and unity at this hour of
national peril stand against Nigeria. They are defenders of political
decay, not champions of democracy. They are the gatekeepers of dysfunction, not
servants of the people.
Beyond Politics: A National Mission
Sabuwar
Tafiya must not be seen as Atiku’s political vehicle alone; it must evolve into
a mass movement of conscience, uniting well-meaning Nigerians from all
walks of life—students, market women, professionals, artisans, religious
groups, the diaspora, and the working class.
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| Nasir El Rufai, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi Will they unite for the New Path? |
Nigeria’s future is too important to be left to political
jobbers and fortune seekers. Every patriotic citizen must embrace this new journey as a
collective mission to rescue Nigeria from institutional collapse.
This
is not merely about regime change. It is about redefining leadership as
a trust, not a trophy; about enshrining competence over connections, and
elevating vision over violence.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Sabuwar
Tafiya offers Nigeria an opportunity for a political rebirth. It is a bold,
morally-grounded, and inclusive initiative that aligns with the yearnings of a
broken nation. As Nigeria slides deeper into economic despair, social
disintegration, and international ridicule, this new journey may well be our
last opportunity to reset the republic.
Let
all well-meaning Nigerians—across ethnicities, religions, political
affiliations, and age groups—embrace Sabuwar Tafiya as the road to
redemption. Let us reject indifference, organize for change, and work together
to rescue Nigeria from the precipice.
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| When cometh the New Path? |
And let us boldly shun the self-serving actors who reject
coalition politics in favor of recycled stagnation. They have failed us
before—and they will fail us again. Now is the time to take back our country.
Addendum: A Clarification of Intent
and Patriotism
In
light of the passionate positions expressed in our analyses and the genuine
concern shown by friends, colleagues, and fellow patriots through numerous
calls and messages, I feel compelled to clarify a matter of principle:
Criticizing the policies and actions of the present
government does not, in any way, equate to hatred for President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu.
On the contrary, I hold the President in esteem as a historic figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle and as a citizen whose resilience has inspired many. My critiques are rooted not in animosity, but in a deep love for country—and indeed, for him as a national leader and a generous giver
Those who surround the President and echo only what pleases him do not serve him—they mislead him. Political jobbers and praise-singers may offer momentary comfort, but they poison the well of leadership by shielding the leader from reality. The President Tinubu that we know is not averse to constructive criticisms, rather he appreciates them. It is the transactional supporters and political jobbers hoping for some political appointments and contracts, sometimes without competence, that present him to the public as a hater of all criticisms. They are wrong.
As
a public intellectual and political analyst, my duty is to speak the truth as I
see it—boldly, honestly, and constructively. Silence in the face of
systemic decay is betrayal. But critique, when offered in good faith, is the
highest form of patriotism.
If
I raise concern about insecurity, economic mismanagement, or political
exclusion, it is because these matters threaten the fabric of our shared
nation. If I warn about the rejection of coalition politics by narrow-minded
actors, it is because such sabotage will ruin the dream of millions, including
the President’s own legacy.
So
let it be known: I do not fear power—I respect it. But I serve a higher power
called conscience, and it demands that I tell truth to leadership,
whether convenient or not.
I
hope Mr. President and his handlers read these words not with suspicion, but
with reflection. For history will not remember those who cheered a nation
into collapse—but those who raised the alarm when silence was easier.
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