Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-President of Nigeria, has expressed grave concerns about the state of democracy in the country, stating that Nigeria is on the brink of becoming a one-party dictatorship.
In an Independence Day message delivered to Nigerians on Monday, Atiku urged citizens to rise and reclaim their democracy from the “encroaching shadows of oppression” that threaten to undermine political freedom.
As Nigeria commemorates its 64th independence anniversary, Atiku reflected on the nation’s tumultuous history, emphasising the resilience and tenacity of its citizens in the face of adversity. He stated, “Our nation has traversed numerous tumultuous phases, yet the tenacity of patriotic citizens, bolstered by the solidarity of our international allies, has fortified our resolve as a resilient entity.”
Despite celebrating the establishment of democracy in Nigeria, which has seen the country enjoy its longest period of democratic governance, Atiku lamented the lack of genuinely free and fair elections.
“While democracy has anchored our institutions in the principles of the rule of law, we have yet to achieve satisfactory progress in fostering political inclusivity and ensuring elections that are genuinely free and fair,” he said.
Atiku then accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating opposition parties to weaken their effectiveness, stating, “Our political milieu has become corrosive; opposition parties languish in weakness, while the ruling party appears to manipulate internal processes to render them ineffectual.”
He warned that Nigeria “teeters on the brink of a one-party dictatorship,” calling on all politicians and statesmen of integrity to unite in the fight to reclaim democracy.
In a recent push for unity, Atiku reiterated the necessity for a strong opposition, having previously urged opposition parties to form a coalition to prevent the APC from turning Nigeria into a one-party state. He concluded his message by stressing that political leaders across all party lines must collaborate to steer the nation towards a promising future.
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