Don’t lose hope in Nigeria, Atiku says in New Year message

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president of Nigeria, has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country as a result of the current challenges.

Charging the people to see the new year with renewed optimism, Atiku urged them to be active participants in the struggle to bring about change by democratic means.

In a new year message released by his media office in Abuja and signed by Garba Shehu, his head of media, he said democracy offered the people the opportunity to use the power of their votes to bring about the desired change.

He advised political leaders to embrace the spirit of tolerance, adding that people should not become enemies because of political differences.

“Elective offices should be perceived as an opportunity to offer selfless service rather than personal enrichment,” he said.

“I urge the people to register massively and collect their permanent voter cards so that they can vote for parties and candidates of their choice.”

He implored all leaders to cut down on extravagant lifestyles because of the current slump in world oil prices, saying “It is not enough to tell ordinary Nigerians to make sacrifices in the face of economic austerity, while the leaders are reluctant to evenly share the burden of such sacrifices.”