Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has delivered a powerful critique of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming the party for Nigeria’s severe hardships over the past nine years. In his Democracy Day address, Atiku called for unity among opposition parties to restore hope and effective governance to the nation.
June 12 Democracy Day
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Atiku highlighted the significance of June 12, honoring key figures like Basorun MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Tafida Shehu Yar’Adua, and Alfred Rewane for their relentless fight to establish and sustain democracy in Nigeria. “Truth be told, there’s no substitute for democracy as a form of government,” he asserted.
However, Atiku expressed deep concern over the current state of Nigeria’s democracy, describing it as fragile and failing to deliver prosperity and liberty to its citizens. He attributed the ongoing “extreme hardship” and unprecedented levels of violence and insecurity directly to the APC’s governance over the last nine years. “The ruling All Progressives Congress is to blame for bringing forth this dawn of gloom,” he declared.
Nigerian opposition unity
Atiku also criticized the opposition parties for their failure to unite against the ruling party, arguing that their lack of cohesion has prevented them from effectively challenging the APC and presenting a credible alternative to the Nigerian people. “Today, the failings of the opposition parties to uphold the functionality of their existence is the major threat to our democracy,” he stated.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections called on all political stakeholders to recognize the importance of coalition-building. He urged them to work together to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future. “The earlier they realize that the fortunes of Nigeria lie in their forging a coalition, the better it will be for our country and the people,” he stated.
Atiku’s address underscores the urgency of political unity and effective governance to navigate Nigeria out of its current challenges and towards a more prosperous and secure future.
