Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has commended Nigerians for their role in sustaining democracy in the country for the past 25 years.
News About Nigeria reports that this was disclosed in a post on his official X page on June 12, Democracy Day.
Atiku acknowledged the sacrifices made by patriots who fought for the country’s transition from military to democratic rule.
He specifically mentioned Basorun MKO Abiola, his wife Kudirat, Shehu Yar’Adua, and Alfred Rewane, among others.
Atiku noted that the country has witnessed an uninterrupted season of electoral politics for 25 years, an unprecedented feat in Nigeria’s history.
He congratulated the political class and civil society for their efforts in nurturing democracy.
However, he expressed concern that the country’s democracy has yet to deliver on its promises of prosperity and liberty to the people.
He criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for bringing hardship, poverty, violence, and insecurity to the country in the past nine years.
Atiku also blamed the opposition parties for their inability to form a coalition to challenge the ruling party and articulate a plan for good governance.
He urged the opposition parties to forge a coalition to save Nigeria’s democracy, stating that their failure to do so is a major threat to the country’s democratic system.
On May 18, the former vice-president said he has been engaging Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, to discuss the possibility of a merger.
Atiku said he would support anyone chosen to represent the PDP in 2027, even if the candidate is from the south-east.
