In the midst of Nigeria’s political whirlwind, the spotlight once again turned to Atiku Abubakar, a seasoned politician whose quest for the presidency had become an enduring saga. This time, however, the nation’s gaze wasn’t solely on his political ambitions but on his intriguing past, which was reluctantly unveiled amidst controversy.
The unfolding drama began when Atiku Abubakar, facing mounting calls for transparency, was compelled to reveal his educational records, specifically those related to his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificates. Among these documents, a certificate emerged bearing the name “Sadiq Abubakar,” rather than the familiar “Atiku Abubakar.”
This revelation sent shockwaves across Nigeria, sparking a tidal wave of questions and fueling curiosity about the sudden transition from Sadiq to Abubakar.
On Twitter, Nigeria’s digital town square, drawing Nigerians from diverse backgrounds into the online discourse.
User Taiwo Ajakaye “@dmightyangel” on his X handle
“If the father of Atiku Abubakar was Garba Abubakar, it means his SURNAME is Abubakar abi…
If you CLAIMED to write that WAEC & the name on the WAEC result was/is SIDDIQ Abubakar, then Atiku Abubakar cannot be Siddiq Abubakar because your birth certificate didn’t indicate SIDDIQ/SADIQ/SODIQ as your FIRST NAME….Atiku’s known first name for ages has been ATIKU.
If Uncle Dele Momodu now claimed that Atiku said “Yes I used Sadiq Abubakar to sit for my WAEC and after passing my exams I went to swear an affidavit”…..Question is this, when did Atiku’s SURNAME or FIRSTNAME ever known to be SIDDIQ/SADIQ/SODIQ or how would you swear to an AffiDAVID Hundeyin just because of OTHER NAMES?
Wey the AFFIDAVIT and which date Atiku go swear affidavit wey dey claim O’level result of Siddiq Abubakar as his own na? Na only Atiku write the exam, no living human being use the same exam hall with Siddiq/Sadiq/Atiku that year and NO ID?”
As online chatter revolved around Atiku’s mystifying transformation, he eventually addressed the issue during a campaign rally. He explained that the name change was a deeply personal decision, made upon receiving his WAEC results, as he believed the name “Atiku” better suited his political persona. Nigerians believe his reasons aren’t confusing enough.
The nation remained divided over this explanation, with some taking it at face value and others raising a skeptical eyebrow. Nevertheless, as the election season intensified, and other pressing political issues came to the forefront, the name change controversy slowly receded into the background.