Atiku: No Political Leader Has Sacrificed More For Democracy Than Me

Atiku: No Political Leader Has Sacrificed More For Democracy Than Me

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that Nigeria’s democracy is failing to deliver the expected good governance to its citizens. He made this remark while serving…READ MORE…

as a thematic discussant during a presentation titled ‘Party Politics and Political Integrity: The Role of Political Parties and Opposition in Democracy’ by Professor Bayo Olukoshi at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, held at the Continental Hotel in Abuja on Monday.

Atiku warned that the nation’s democracy is at a critical juncture and requires urgent action to avoid complete erosion. He explained that the current state of the nation’s democracy is not solely due to one person or administration, but the collective responsibility of past leaderships.

Reflecting on his own role, Atiku expressed his belief that few political leaders have spoken out or done more to promote democratic governance than he has. He cited his involvement in political struggles and his actions in the courts, which resulted in landmark judicial decisions to uphold democratic principles.

He further explained that his advocacy for democracy stemmed from both personal conviction and the broader political context. “My efforts were driven by my participation in the struggle to end military rule and my deep belief that democracy is the best route to unity and development for our diverse country,” he said.

Atiku decried the absence of good governance and the erosion of citizens’ rights to freely elect their leaders, attributing these issues to state capture and electoral malpractices. He expressed concern over the increasing difficulty of removing those in power through democratic means, labeling this as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Looking ahead, Atiku emphasized the need for institutional strengthening, starting with party politics. He advocated for a more people-based ownership and funding model for political parties to ensure their democratic effectiveness. He also called for reforms to the country’s electoral laws and judiciary, warning that the continued corruption within the judicial system could jeopardize both political parties and democracy itself.

“Without reforms in these critical institutions, democracy will struggle to deliver the governance our citizens deserve,” Atiku concluded.

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