Independence Day: Nigeria yet to achieve credible elections, says Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says Nigeria is on the brink of a one-party dictatorship.

In an Independence Day message to Nigerians on Monday, Abubakar said Nigerians should rise and reclaim the nation’s democracy from the “encroaching shadows of oppression”.

Nigeria is commemorating its 64th independence anniversary today.

Abubakar said the country is yet to achieve “genuinely” free and fair elections.

“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.

“On this day, as we mark 64 years of nationhood, we take pride in the enduring establishment of democracy in Nigeria, highlighted by the longest period of democratic governance in our history.

“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.

“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 endeavours and those of subsequent generations.”

The PDP standard-bearer in the 2023 election accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating opposition parties to make them impotent.

“Our political milieu has become corrosive, opposition parties languish in weakness, while the ruling party appears to manipulate internal processes to render them ineffectual,” he said.

“Nigeria teeters on the brink of a one-party dictatorship and it is incumbent upon all politicians and statesmen of integrity to rise and reclaim our democracy from the encroaching shadows of oppression.”

Abubakar said political leaders across all party lines must forge a formidable coalition to steer the nation towards a promising future.

In November 2023, Abubakar urged opposition parties to form a coalition.

Abubakar said Nigeria needs a strong opposition to stop the APC from “turning the country into a one-party state”.