The former vice president stated that there is still much work to be done in order to advance Nigeria’s democracy.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar claims that Nigerian democracy is still in captivity and that it will take all of Nigeria’s citizens to free it as the country observes Democracy Day on June 12 of 2023.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate said in a statement released on Sunday that the ruling class must stop influencing the results of elections. The election is scheduled for February 25, 2023.
Atiku stated that Nigerians should use Democracy Day as an opportunity to consider their country’s progress toward establishing a democratic society.
“Democracy without a corresponding commitment to the principles of fairness and fidelity to the rule of play by stakeholders in the processes of conducting elections still leaves the people prostrate to tendencies of dictatorship,” said the former Vice President.
“Our democracy must continuously move away from the current practice where the ruling elite decides the results of elections in order to be fully functional,” said the author.
According to Atiku, there is still much to be done to advance Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy and the democratization process are ongoing works in progress. While we celebrate the restoration of civil rule in Nigeria today, the goal of all democratic participants today is to make our democracy self-sustaining and free from anti-democratic forces.
What we do or don’t do today will have a significant impact on the challenge we face and the future of our democracy, he said.
“As I congratulate Nigerians on this day, in celebration of the restoration of civil rule, I also call our attention to the reality that democracy in Nigeria remains in captivity and that its rescue will require the energy of all of us.”
