As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stern warning about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement released on the occasion, Atiku expressed grave concerns about what he describes as the country’s slide towards a one-party dictatorship.
According to Atiku, who was the Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, the political situation in Nigeria is becoming more corrosive, and the opposition parties are growing weaker.
He lamented that the ruling party appears to be manipulating internal processes to maintain its dominance and render the opposition ineffective.
Atiku called on Nigeria’s political elite to unite in order to safeguard the country’s democracy from what he described as “the precipice of authoritarianism.”
He urged politicians and statesmen of integrity to stand up and reclaim Nigeria’s democracy before it is too late.
“Nigeria teeters on the brink of a one-party dictatorship,” Atiku warned.
He added that it is up to the political elite and other well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the occasion and protect the democratic gains the country has made over the years.
In his statement, Atiku urged Nigeria’s political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to come together and form a coalition capable of providing a credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected from the threat of authoritarianism and that this can only be achieved through unity and a collective effort.
Atiku explained that while Nigeria’s democracy is founded on the principles of the rule of law, the country is still far from achieving political inclusivity and truly free and fair elections.
“Our founding fathers united under a common cause, championing our independence through peaceful, political activism,” he said.
Atiku praised the vision of Nigeria’s independence leaders, but noted that the current political landscape is troubling.
He pointed out that the credibility of elections has declined, with the ruling party allegedly manipulating internal processes and weakening the opposition.
“Our political milieu has become corrosive; opposition parties languish in weakness, while the ruling party appears to manipulate internal processes to render them ineffectual,” Atiku stated.
The former Vice President’s remarks come at a time when many Nigerians are questioning the health of the country’s democracy.
In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the dominance of the APC and the perceived weakening of opposition parties.
Political analysts have often warned that a lack of robust opposition can lead to an erosion of democracy, as it allows the ruling party to govern without adequate checks and balances.
Atiku’s warning about the rise of one-party rule is not new, but it comes at a particularly significant time as the nation celebrates its 64th Independence Day.
The former Vice President used the occasion to reflect on the achievements of Nigeria’s past while cautioning against complacency.
“We celebrate today the fruition of their collective endeavors and those of subsequent generations,” he said, referring to the efforts of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
However, he warned that the gains made since independence are at risk if Nigerians do not act swiftly to preserve their democracy.
Atiku’s call for action goes beyond simply preserving democracy; it also emphasizes the need for electoral reforms.
He argued that Nigeria’s electoral system needs to be overhauled to ensure that future elections are genuinely free and fair.
According to him, the current system is skewed in favor of the ruling party, making it difficult for opposition parties to compete on a level playing field.
“At this stage of our democracy, we should be talking about strengthening institutions and ensuring that elections reflect the will of the people,” Atiku said.
He added that without political inclusivity and credible elections, Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile.
