[OPINION] No Break from Politics: Atiku, Obi, El Rufai, Aregbesola Ignore President Tinubu’s Birthday

Political rivalry often turns bitter, particularly in a democracy like Nigeria, where the winner takes all and the defeated are left to nurse their wounds. However, on several occasions, prominent actors in the country have demonstrated their ability to set aside political differences and focus on shared citizenship and humanity. Typically, they try to be good sports on days of special significance such as birthdays, weddings, funerals, etc., with courteous and empathetic public messages to known opponents and others perceived as such.

However, yesterday, March 29, the day Nigeria’s 16th president, Bola Tinubu, turned 72, some of his opponents and ex-allies refused to take the high road. Despite the outpouring of wishes and goodwill that trailed the occasion, their silence was loud. Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President who is preparing for his seventh shot at the presidency, led the team of an assortment of political figures who ostensibly ignored the event.

His likely irritation is understandable. The celebrant denied him the best chance of fulfilling his lifelong ambition, consequently consigning him to a place in history as the man who tried but failed to win the presidency. Seeing the nation fete the president on his first birthday anniversary as the Commander-in-Chief, amid the recent upswing in opinion polls following key positive developments in the economy, notably the naira’s growing strength, Atiku may have understandably been turned off.

The same applies to Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 elections. It could also be argued that he was distracted by the infighting that has broken his party as allegations of campaign donation theft, imposition, and disregard for the party constitution continue to fly and dominate the headlines.

The case of Rauf Aregbesola, the former Interior Minister once considered the strongest ally of the president, is not so easy to explain. He claims to seek reconciliation following the infamous role he reportedly played in the defeat of the APC in Osun State, but ignoring the president on his birthday raises doubts about his sincerity. Is he genuinely looking to make amends or tactically realigning to one-up the party again? While it is possible that a private message was sent, a politician like Aregbesola must understand the optics of echoing the same in public. Even Yemi Osinbajo, the ambitious ex-Vice President who contested the party’s nomination with the President, made sure to congratulate him publicly.

Nasir El-Rufai is another head-scratcher. The self-styled feather ruffler would be serving in the President’s cabinet but for the failure of the National Assembly to confirm his nomination. He, too, publicly ignored the event. That decision has increased confusion about his real position on the president. Ally or foe? El-Rufai can no longer ignore the swirling rumors. He must showcase his famed forthrightness and make clear his stand with the president. The public wants to know if there is any truth to whispers of his involvement in a budding ‘mega opposition’ involving stranded and disaffected members of different political parties whom he has both visited and hosted in recent times.

Teslim Folarin is one of those aggrieved with whom El-Rufai has recently met behind closed doors. The APC candidate in the last governorship election in Oyo state blames his spectacular defeat on betrayal by the party’s hierarchy. He believes he was sacrificed in the game of chess that played out in the 2023 general elections, but critics point to his colorful past and general lack of appeal as the main cause of his trouncing. He also ignored the event of the president’s birth anniversary.

The president is unlikely to notice, given the sheer amount of wishes showered on him by millions of admirers on the continent and beyond. But political watchers are studying the famous ‘body language’ of these actors and already painting the picture of 2027.

By Bosun Adedapo

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