Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that Nigeria may lose its democracy if it continues on its ‘’current trajectory.”
Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja on Monday, January 27, Atiku expressed concerns over the state of governance and political parties in the country. The event was organized by various organizations, including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, the Centre for Democracy and Development, and the National Peace Committee.
“We really are at a crossroads in this democratic experiment. We either decide we want to be democratic or we decide to abandon it,” Atiku said, emphasizing concerns about the ‘judiciary’s growing role’ in deciding political outcomes.
He criticized the transfer of challenges from political parties to governance, saying, “Governance dictates to the political parties, whereas political parties should have been directing governance.”
Atiku also alleged that the current administration had been inducing opposition leaders with financial incentives. “I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each,” he claimed, questioning the sincerity of opposition leaders in fighting for democracy.
He expressed doubts about the National Assembly adopting his recommendations for amending the Electoral Act, describing the assembly as a “rubber stamp for the government” but stressing the importance of individual commitment to democracy. Drawing comparisons with Turkey’s electoral system, Atiku questioned Nigeria’s electoral umpire’s credibility and ability to ensure fairness.Travel guide blog
Atiku said;
“Now, governance dictates to the political parties, whereas political parties should have been directing governance on what should be done because that is their role. They interact with ordinary people, go on campaigns, and so on.
“With the current National Assembly, I don’t see them adopting most of the recommendations I made. As someone said here, we have a National Assembly that is a rubber stamp for the government. But I refuse to agree. It all depends on us.
“I want to say it here publicly. I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each.