‘Those who accuse Atiku of being ambitious are not sincere’
Paul Ibe is the director, Atiku Media Office (AMO). On the sidelines of a recent event in Yola, Adamawa State, Ibe spoke with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, on the person of Atiku Abubakar, his philanthropy, politics, among other issues. Excerpts:
The man Atiku Abubakar means different things to different people. As one of the closest confidants, who actually is Atiku?
You know before I joined His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, in 2010, following a career in journalism that culminated in my editorship at ThisDay, I had known this country very well. I attended Federal Government College Okigwe in Imo State. The values of unity in diversity were established in me. As a journalist, I have travelled the length and breadth of Nigeria. For one, Atiku Abubakar happens to be a practical postgraduate studies in what it means to be a true Nigerian in the midst of diversity we have had. Having observed him at a close range, I have seen that this is a man that has matched his words and his antecedents and that he truly represents the very best; he personifies the best in what it means to be a Nigerian. His ability to seek and get talents far beyond his enclave puts him in a special role and defines his person and underscores the fact that he continues to be a rallying point and he looks far beyond his immediate environment to embrace people of other faith; people of other ethnic backgrounds and people of opposite views and persuasions. Actually, that’s the Atiku Abubakar that I have come to know in the last six years or thereabout.
There are difficult principals; how is it like working with Atiku Abubakar?
The truth was that I never wanted to work for a politician. I was interested with the reportage, in covering the politics. I never had the desire until I had to leave ThisDay. The opportunity came for me to work with him. Again, I never had a relationship with him; of course, I had interviewed him a couple of times. At the height of the third term ambition, I was in the ThisDay team that interviewed him. When I came on board, I didn’t know the man. But the job, for six years now, has given me a front seat to observe the man. I can say, it is perhaps one of the most robust and rewarding working relationship I have had. It’s been made so easy because of the nature of the man and his work ethics. I used to joke with my wife that anytime I send a memo to my boss, no matter the place he may be, in a flash the reply comes. So, that makes my work very easy. There is spontaneity and when you work with such a person, he makes your day and you will enjoy working with him. If you send him a memo, even if it is 100 pages, he will read line by line and anything he doesn’t understand and he wants you to explain more, he will put three question marks.
Some people describe him as a philanthropist who has a large heart to bear other people’s burdens. Can you say anything on this aspect of his life?
You know at times, when I reflect, I begin to wonder if the man is human. I have come to realise that it is not about politics, it is about the person. This is who he is, it is about a life of giving and it is not about resources. God has endowed us with resources; I am not sure Atiku Abubakar is the most endowed, but he is the one that has endowed the most. So it is a function of his humanity, his ability to recognise that he has been blessed and is meant to be a blessing to others, not only his family but also to his community. I think that is what drives him; he has told me several times in unmistakable terms that he has long received his reward and that God has blessed him, and that what he is doing is a manifestation of the covenant that he has with him (God). That’s the man we are talking about; his commitment to touch lives is unwavering.
Some people see his philanthropic gestures as a way of pushing his political ambition; some critics of your boss say there’s no big deal in what he is doing because according to them, he is merely giving back to the society that made him wealthy in the first place. What is your take on these?
Let me start from the second part of the question. We are all ambitious people; a reporter desires to become an editor. As an editor, you probably want to be an editor-in-chief; or the managing director. As human beings, we always want to rise in life and get to the next level. You know Atiku is a mere mortal like all of us. He is flesh and blood; he has desires and aspirations, but you need to understand his ambitions against the backdrop of where the man is coming from. Here is a man who has repeatedly been saying how this country has helped him. He went to school in Northern Nigeria where he got free education, and so he believes he has the responsibility to give back to the same society that has given him so much. He believes by his training, exposure and by his experience he has garnered skills that put him at an advantageous position to be able to impact on the society; to transform lives by people. I think that it is legitimate if it is done within established rules. There’s nothing wrong for him to be ambitious. Even those who say he is ambitious are also ambitious. Perhaps, their ambition is in reverse of his; just to ensure he does not achieve his own ambition.
Some people say it is time for the likes of Atiku to stay on the side and play the role of statesman, nurturing young leaders…
(Cuts in…) well, there’s nothing wrong with nurturing young leaders, but you should also know that one of the things Turaki is passionate about is mentorship. But you can’t put forward people who have not been well schooled; well tutored in the act of leadership.
Why is it that he seems to be having serious oppositions from other politicians whenever he puts his ambition forward?
Everybody cannot be on the same page with you; there are people who are for and those who are against. The important thing is that the man is focused; he knows where he is headed. An American president ran for the same office several times and failed until he got it; it is not how long, it is how well. The man has also learnt something; he learnt early in life that no matter how many times you fall, the question to ask is how many times did you pick yourself up? Nothing has ever come easy to Atiku in life. Everything has been a struggle; his father died early in life, it has been struggle all the way.
There is this thinking that Atiku has not fully reconciled with Olusegun Obasanjo his former boss. Do you think if Atiku should step out today to contest the presidency he would enjoy the support of the former president?
I will not speculate, but let me tell you what I know and that underscores the essence of the politics of Atiku Abubakar- a man that is very tolerant and more than any politician else; he promotes politics of accommodation. If you are on the front line like me and you see when these people are coming and the way they are received, I don’t think it is about politics. It is about his ability to receive people. It could be a minus but it could be a plus, but the reality is that for Atiku it has been his staying power; his ability to clearly embrace people despite the fact that these may be some of the people who have been on the opposing side.
At a time people are advocating that power should shift to the younger generation, are you advocating that people of 70 and above should continue to rule Nigeria?
The question I throw back to you is; what has age got to do with it? Is the man qualified, does he have the intellectual capacity to carry out the duties of office in such a way that will benefit every citizens, does he have the experience? What about Donald Trump? He is 70. Like Atiku Abubakar, he has run businesses; he has been successful and has created thousands of jobs to citizens. Atiku has returned huge benefits to stakeholders in his business; billions of naira as tax to the state; a man of great compassion, a man of unparalleled humanity; a man who can bring people together. Now if he has these traits how would that impact the society? That is the question.