“In the arena of power, you will sometimes be called to defend even those who would not defend you.” — Atiku Abubakar
The Third Term Showdown – 2006
The Nigerian Senate chamber was tense. Outside, the air buzzed with whispers of deals, threats, and brown envelopes. President Olusegun Obasanjo’s allies were pushing hard for a constitutional amendment to give him a third term. The press called it “Operation Tenure Elongation.”
But one man refused to be cowed. Atiku Abubakar—despite being Obasanjo’s deputy—publicly opposed the plan. He rallied lawmakers across party lines, brought civil society into the fray, and quietly met with international diplomats to shore up support for democracy. In May 2006, the third term bill was defeated on the Senate floor.
That single act prevented Nigeria from sliding into the abyss of life presidency. It was an Atiku moment—courage when it mattered most.
Defending an Opponent – Tinubu’s Lagos Crisis, 2005
It is the great irony of history that Atiku once stood between Tinubu and political ruin. When Obasanjo’s Federal Government seized Lagos State’s local government allocations over the creation of new councils, the intention was clear—starve the state into submission.
But Atiku declared the action unconstitutional. He argued for the funds to be released, reminding the nation that federalism means respecting the autonomy of states, even if they are governed by political rivals. Lagos eventually won the case at the Supreme Court, but it was Atiku’s political cover that gave the city breathing room.
The ASUU Funding Push – 2001
Few remember that during the early 2000s, when university strikes threatened to paralyze the academic year, Atiku was among those who brokered a truce between ASUU and the federal government. He convinced the cabinet to approve a phased funding plan for universities, ensuring that public education did not collapse.
For many Gen Z Nigerians who were in nursery school at the time, that intervention is part of the reason their older siblings graduated without losing years to industrial action.
Tinubu’s Selective Justice: The New Order of Unequal Law
Fast forward to today, and Tinubu’s presidency has introduced a disturbing pattern: the law bends for allies and crushes opponents.
Here are the flashpoints of selective justice under Tinubu:
- KWAM1 Airport Breach (2025) – When Fuji musician and Tinubu ally KWAM1 obstructed an aircraft in Abuja, aviation rules were bent. Instead of strict sanctions, he got a mild 6-month no-fly penalty, while the airline faced swift, harsh punishment.
- Election Petition Disparities – Identical election petition cases in different states received contradictory judgments, with APC’s victories upheld and opposition wins overturned.
- Stalled Fayose Trial – The ₦2.2 billion corruption case against former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose drags endlessly without visible progress.
- Soft Landings for APC Donors – Major financiers of the ruling party facing tax fraud charges quietly negotiated settlements behind closed doors.
- Harshness Against Youth Protesters – Peaceful Gen Z-led protests face military-grade crackdowns, while pro-government rallies proceed without interference.
- Ignored Court Orders – Rulings unfavorable to APC figures are delayed or disregarded, undermining judicial authority.
- Two-tier Anti-Corruption – EFCC cases against APC defectors vanish after they join the ruling party.
- Regulatory Double Standards – Business licenses of opposition-linked firms face sudden revocations; APC-linked businesses receive waivers.
- Preferential Aviation Safety Enforcement – The KWAM1 incident shows rules applied harshly to common citizens but softly to the powerful.
- Media Manipulation in Legal Coverage – State-friendly outlets bury news of APC-linked corruption while amplifying opposition allegations.
The Yar’Adua Transition – 2010
Though no longer Vice President, Atiku was a vocal advocate for following constitutional order during President Yar’Adua’s illness. He insisted the National Assembly invoke the Doctrine of Necessity to make Goodluck Jonathan Acting President, preventing a dangerous power vacuum.
It was another moment when he put stability above partisan advantage.
The Scholarship Gesture – 2023
When dozens of Gen Z students from across Nigeria received full scholarships from Atiku to study at various levels, it was more than philanthropy—it was a message. He sees Nigeria’s youth as an investment, not a threat. At a time when insecurity and economic hardship darken young futures, Atiku’s gesture stood in stark contrast to a government preoccupied with power plays.
A Presidency of Justice and Equal Opportunity
If elected in 2027, Atiku pledges to:
- Strengthen the Judiciary’s Independence – Judges will be insulated from political pressure, ensuring consistent rulings.
- End Selective Prosecution – Cases will be pursued based on evidence, not political affiliation.
- Respect Civil Liberties – Peaceful protest will be treated as a democratic right, not a crime.
- Guarantee Educational Access – Security and funding will make it possible for every Nigerian youth to attend school without fear.
- Protect Federalism – States’ rights will be respected regardless of party control.
From resisting Obasanjo’s third term bid, to defending Tinubu’s Lagos from federal overreach, to protecting the constitutional order in the Yar’Adua era—Atiku has stood for justice in moments that shaped Nigeria’s destiny.
Tinubu’s selective justice has eroded public trust and weaponized the law against opponents, creating a climate of fear and inequality. Nigeria needs a leader who has already shown that justice is not a tool for political vendetta, but the foundation of a stable nation.
For the Gen Z generation—Nigeria’s most connected, ambitious, and globally aware demographic—2027 could be the year they inherit a system that works for them, not against them. That is the promise of an Atiku presidency.