Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, labeling it the “lowest ebb” in Nigeria’s democratic history. In a poignant Democracy Day message on Thursday, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of steering Nigeria toward a “creeping one-party dictatorship” and undermining the democratic gains of June 12.
Marking 26 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, Atiku reflected on the historic significance of June 12, a day officially recognized in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to honor Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election. He described the 1993 election as a defining moment that reshaped Nigeria’s political destiny, driven by immense sacrifices from citizens and political figures alike.
“Thirty-two years ago, Nigeria stood on the cusp of greatness,” Atiku said, recalling his role in the democratic struggle and his decision to step aside for Abiola’s candidacy. He paid tribute to fallen heroes like Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Alfred Rewane, who gave their lives for a freer Nigeria. “The gains of June 12 were hard-won, but they are being steadily dismantled before our very eyes,” he lamented.
Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of governing with an intent to “dominate, subdue, and silence” opposition voices. He alleged that contracts worth billions of naira are awarded to presidential cronies, while national institutions are being renamed in honor of the sitting president, likening the country to a “private estate.” He described the current state of governance as “conquest” rather than leadership, with policies designed to entrench fear and control rather than empower citizens.
“What we are witnessing is not governance; it is the antithesis of everything June 12 stands for,” Atiku declared. He warned that Nigeria is at a critical juncture, facing a choice between democratic renewal and descent into despotism.
Calling for a united opposition front, Atiku framed the struggle as a “moral crusade” to defend the legacy of June 12 and reclaim Nigeria’s democracy, economy, and dignity. “As long as oppression thrives, June 12 lives on, not just as memory, but as movement. The time to rise is now,” he urged.
The former vice president’s remarks have sparked widespread reactions, with some praising his call to action and others viewing it as a political maneuver ahead of future elections. As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, Atiku’s message underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the state of the nation’s democratic institutions.
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