Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture, facing potential collapse unless corrective actions are taken.
Speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria in Abuja on Monday, Atiku emphasised the need for coalition-building and mergers to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress from power.
Atiku stated that state capture has made it increasingly difficult to remove those in power through democratic means, citing the erosion of people’s freedom to choose their leaders.
He argued that this is one of the gravest threats to democracy in Nigeria, calling for urgent reforms to political parties, judicial systems, and electoral processes.
He said, “There’s no doubt that our democracy is at a crossroads. Put simply, it is at the risk of eroding completely. And it is not caused by one single person or one single administration.
In fact, a number of us have been warning over the years that we may come to this pass if we lose our vigilance and fail to take corrective actions to protect and deepen our democracy.
“At the risk of sounding modest, I doubt that there are many contemporary senior political leaders who have spoken out and done more to promote democratic governance in our country than me.
“In addition to public statements and presentations, I brought some actions to our courts which produced landmark judicial decisions intended to uphold democratic principles and practices.
The former Vice President highlighted the essential role of strong political parties, especially opposition groups, in sustaining democracy.
He stressed that parties should not be dominated by wealthy individuals or governors but should operate on a more democratic funding model.
Atiku also called for stronger adherence to party rules and laws, as well as severe consequences for non-compliance, such as the immediate vacating of seats by elected members who defect.
Judicial reform was another key point in Atiku’s speech.
He faulted the judiciary for its role in undermining democracy, suggesting that judicial recklessness has become a significant threat to democratic principles.
Atiku urged reforms to ensure the judiciary upholds the will of the people in electoral disputes, rather than manipulating technicalities to favor certain individuals or interests.
In conclusion, Atiku called for greater vigilance and collective efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that coalition-building and institutional reforms are critical for overcoming the current political challenges.
