Nigeria at 64: Atiku Abubakar Warns of Looming One-Party Dictatorship
As Nigeria celebrated its 64th Independence anniversary, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stirring statement, congratulating Nigerians while sounding the alarm on the nation’s democratic development.
In a press release on Monday, Atiku reflected on Nigeria’s tumultuous past, praising the resilience of its citizens and international allies. “Our nation has traversed numerous tumultuous phases, yet the tenacity of patriotic citizens, bolstered by the solidarity of our international allies, has fortified our resolve as a resilient entity,” he said.
Atiku acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in establishing democracy, highlighting the longest period of democratic governance in its history. “On this day, as we mark 64 years of nationhood, we take pride in the enduring establishment of democracy in Nigeria,” he stated.
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However, he expressed deep concern about the nation’s democratic health, citing declining electoral credibility and the ruling party’s increasing dominance. “While democracy has anchored our institutions in the principles of the rule of law, we have yet to achieve satisfactory progress in fostering political inclusivity and ensuring elections that are genuinely free and fair,” Atiku noted.
He warned that Nigeria is perilously close to becoming a one-party dictatorship, with opposition parties weakened and the ruling party manipulating internal processes. “Our political milieu has become corrosive; opposition parties languish in weakness, while the ruling party appears to manipulate internal processes to render them ineffectual. Nigeria teeters on the brink of a one-party dictatorship…”
The former Vice President urged politicians and statesmen to unite and protect democracy from authoritarianism. “Our founding fathers united under a common cause, championing our independence through peaceful, political activism. What we celebrate today is the fruition of their collective endeavors and those of subsequent generations,” he said.