As Nigeria marks 25 years of continuous democracy, Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the nation’s economic difficulties. June 12, an annual day for celebrating democracy, comes at a time when many Nigerians are experiencing poverty and facing numerous security challenges.
In a message to Nigerians, the former vice president stated that the past nine years under the APC administration have inflicted significant hardship on the populace. He highlighted the economic and security issues that have worsened during the APC’s tenure, contrasting this with the nation’s democratic milestones.
“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,” he said.
“Sadly, the ruling All Progressives Congress is to blame for bringing forth this dawn of gloom.”
While criticising opposition parties for failing to unite and form a coalition capable of unseating the ruling APC, he berated the opposition parties for failing to present a governance plan that would gain the confidence of Nigerians.
To Atiku, one of the secondary purposes of declaring June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria is to commemorate the history of our prolonged journey toward becoming a stable democratic nation.
The former vice president asserted that there is no substitute for democracy as a form of government.
“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.”
