Lack of unity among opposition threat to our democracy, says Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubukar says disunity among opposition parties constitutes the worst threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a post on his official X page on Wednesday, Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of throwing the citizens into extreme poverty.

Since the end of the 2023 elections, Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been pushing for all opposition political parties to unite to defeat the ruling party ahead of the 2027 election.

On May 18, the former vice-president said he has been engaging Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, to discuss the possibility of a merger.

Atiku said he would support anyone chosen to represent the PDP in 2027 — even if the candidate is from the south-east.

Atiku urged opposition parties to form a coalition to challenge the ruling party and articulate a plan for good governance.

Speaking on the occasion of the June 12 democracy day, Atiku said the country has witnessed an uninterrupted season of electoral politics for 25 years, an unprecedented feat in Nigeria’s history.

‘The secondary purpose of declaring every June 12 as Democracy Day in our country is to commemorate the history of our long journey of becoming a stable democratic country. Truth be told, there’s no substitute to democracy as a form of government,” Atiku said.

“Whereas our current democratic dispensation is a quarter of a century old, it will not be out of place to pay tributes to the sacrifices made by many patriots, chiefly among them Basorun MKO Abiola and his beloved wife, Alhaja (Mrs) Kudirat Abiola, Tafida Shehu Yar’Adua and Alfred Rewane, among many others.

“The historical timeline of the struggle that birthed this democracy is abundant with a series of coalitions and alliances amongst the political leaderships of that era to flush away the vestiges of military and dictatorial governance in order to return power to the people. It is commendable that for 25 years, we have witnessed an uninterrupted season of electoral politics. It is an unprecedented epoch in our history.

“It is worthy of celebration and commendation must go to the people of our great country. I must also congratulate the political class for having embraced the rectitude of nurturing a democracy, as well as the civil society. It is important that all stakeholders continue to do their bit to ensure the sustainability of our democracy. But our democracy is not yet virile if it continually fails to deliver the promises of prosperity and liberty to the people.

“However, the past nine years has thrown up a regime of extreme hardship manifested in excruciating poverty and unprecedented levels of violence and insecurity upon our people. Sadly, the ruling All Progressives Congress is to blame for bringing forth this dawn of gloom.

“But the opposition political parties are even more guilty than the ruling party for the seeming lack of capacity to come together and galvanize a coalition that will retire the ruling party and articulate a plan of good governance that will earn the conviction of Nigerians.

“Today, the failings of the opposition parties to uphold the functionality of their existence is the major threat to our democracy. The earlier they realise that the fortunes of Nigeria lies in their forging a coalition, the better it will be for our country and the people.”