Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it is at a critical juncture.
According to The PUNCH, Atiku emphasized this at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja on Monday, he emphasized the urgent need for coalition-building and a potential merger of opposition parties to remove the ruling All Progressives Congress from power.
“There’s no doubt that our democracy is at a crossroads. It is at risk of eroding completely, and this is not the fault of one person or administration,” Atiku stated.
He stressed that the declining quality of governance and the erosion of citizens’ freedom to choose their leaders have created an atmosphere where state capture hinders democratic change.
Atiku cited his contributions to promoting democratic governance, including landmark judicial battles. “I doubt there are many contemporary leaders who have spoken out and done more to promote democracy in our country than I have,” he noted.
The former Vice President highlighted the core principles of democracy, such as free and fair elections, independent judiciaries, and a system of checks and balances.
However, he warned that Nigeria’s current governance is falling short of these ideals, making it increasingly difficult to remove those in power through democratic means.
Atiku underscored the importance of strong opposition parties in sustaining democracy, criticizing the dominance of wealthy individuals over political parties.
“Ownership of parties by a few wealthy individuals is the antithesis of democracy. Members must co-own and invest in their parties,” he said.
He called for reforms to ensure compliance with party rules and the country’s laws. “Elected officials who decamp must vacate their seats. It should not even be up for debate. Electoral malpractice must be punished, not rewarded,” Atiku added.
The PDP leader urged opposition parties to form coalitions and consider outright mergers to challenge the ruling APC effectively. “Our history and examples from other nations show that coalition-building is critical to unseating unpopular governments,” he said.
Atiku also criticized the judiciary for its role in electoral disputes, describing it as a significant threat to democracy. “The judiciary has shifted from being a beacon of democratic sustenance to a potential threat. Its role should be to uphold the voters’ will, not undermine it through technicalities,” he argued.
Atiku concluded by calling for judicial reforms, democratized party funding, and stronger institutional capacities to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy cannot thrive without strong political parties, independent institutions, and a judiciary that respects the voters’ choices,” he said.
