ALHAJI Atiku Abubakar, the consensus candidate of the pro-zoning Northern elements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was never allowed to savour his victory over Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Aliyu Gusau and Governor Bukola Saraki.

Procedurally, it was very meticulous and disciplined. Getting the four pro-zoning presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the North to agree to abide by the outcome of the search for their consensus candidate to clash with President Goodluck Jonathan was a smart binding force from which it was difficult for any of the subscribers to back out. However, for some, it was the easy way out, the classic “soft landing”.

I ONCE watched an interesting documentary on National Geographic Wild channel, which brought home to me the elders’ saying: “No matter how well you treat a wild animal it will still have its eyes on the bush”.

IT came like a bombshell to many Nigerians that Tuesday, November 8, 2010 when most electronic media announced the sack of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State by the Court of Appeal presided over by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensah in Benin City.

ON Monday, November 8, 2010, Vanguard carried a front page story and interview with a fellow who claimed to be the most wanted criminal, Obioma Nwankwo, alias Osisi ka nkwu, believed to be behind the scourge of kidnappings, violent robberies and killings in Aba and environs.

THESE are not the best of times to be an insider of the President Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign team.

THE most unusual political figures of this era include Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State. His uniqueness is not surprising, considering his political background, the Mallam Aminu Kano model which not many outside the old Kano axis really understood.

TODAY, I want to address the hot media exchanges between officials of the Abia and Rivers State governments over the rescued school children from the den of kidnappers about a month ago.

RETIRED policewoman and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Hajiya Farida Waziri, seems very confused but desperate for applause. How else would you view the recent publication of about 40 names of politicians currently being investigated and tried by the Commission, which were forwarded to the political parties to ensure they do not stand for election in 2011?

AGAIN, I am taking President Goodluck Jonathan to task over a pronouncement by him on a major political issue.

IT is not my usual wont to write tributes on this page. Today, I make an exception as I dedicate this space to one of Nigeria’s most unusual personalities, the retired Commodore Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe.

The victory of Dr Olukayode Fayemi, the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2007 elections in Ekiti State is another elixir to bolster the courage of those who refuse to bow to injustice in Nigeria

It is a man of this giant national profile that is now the field marshal of Arewa warriors campaigning for the return of power to the North in 2011. More than 30 years of exposure to sensitive high national public offices has failed to moderate the regional impetus that threw him upon the national centre-stage.

WHERE is President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC)? I am forced to ask this question because of the noticeable drop in the quality of presidential carriage and actions, especially since GEJ declared his intention to contest for president next year.

Babangida’s camp was correct to have observed that more use should have been made of the security tip-offs which were received by government and even media people long before the tragedy. But the way they presented it to score political points smacked of low-ball tactics. Some issues must be above politics.