Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar issued a warning on Tuesday, stating that Nigeria might turn into a one-party state.
The former vice president raised the alert while in Abuja hosting the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council Nigeria (IPAC).
He called on opposition parties to face the challenges facing democracy’s continued existence.
“You came here today to say that we should cooperate to promote democracy,” stated Atiku.
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However, the reality is that our democracy is quickly turning into a one-party system, and as you are aware, we should put an end to democracy when we have a one-party system.
Atiku gave IPAC, under the direction of Yabagi Sani, its national president, orders to maintain opposition party unity and forge a stronger front capable of overthrowing the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is now in power.
He declared, “As we have all witnessed, the APC is steadily transforming Nigeria into a one-party dictatorship. Our democracy will suffer and future generations will be impacted if we do not unite to oppose the policies that the ruling party is attempting to implement.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) came under fire from Atiku for organising the worst national election in the nation’s history.
“The worst general election in the nation was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he declared.
“INEC just demonstrated its contempt for the principles of our democracy once more during the off-season elections in three states.
“As everyone is aware, Kogi State’s INEC announced a result in which the entire number of votes cast exceeds the total number of eligible voters in a single local government.
“An environment where INEC’s only responsibility is to deliver the ruling party at all costs is not conducive to a healthy democracy.”
“Our democracy will be the first casualty of such a situation, and it will be difficult for INEC to regain its credibility until our elections pass the test of transparency through electronic voting.”
According to Sani, the group decided to pay Atiku a courtesy call since the former vice president is a peaceful political leader who follows the detribalization path.
He asserted that democracy is still the finest type of administration, notwithstanding the drawbacks of elections.
