Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised a significant alarm about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of offering N50 million each to opposition party leaders in an attempt to destabilize the democratic process. Atiku made this accusation during a national conference on strengthening democracy, organized by several civic organizations in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking to attendees, Atiku revealed that opposition party leaders had directly informed him of the bribe, stating, “I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each.” He further questioned the commitment of these leaders to democracy, asking, “Do we really want to fight for democracy?” and raising concerns about the integrity of some of those involved in the opposition. Atiku suggested that certain opposition figures, possibly recipients of the alleged bribes, might be undermining the fight for democracy.
Atiku’s comments were not limited to the issue of bribery; he also expressed deep concern about the erosion of democratic values in Nigeria. He heavily criticized the current National Assembly, calling it a “rubber stamp” for the government, which has raised doubts regarding the independence of the legislative arm. Atiku also cast a shadow of suspicion on the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral body, urging reforms to ensure free and fair elections.
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He drew a parallel with Turkey’s electoral body, which showed integrity by refusing to declare a president-elect who had not met the necessary vote threshold. Atiku suggested that Nigeria should emulate such principles of fairness and transparency to restore credibility to the electoral process.
Reflecting on his decades-long fight for democracy in Nigeria, Atiku shared personal anecdotes, including an assassination attempt on his life, the seizure of his businesses, and his eventual exile. These sacrifices, he said, were part of his relentless commitment to ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria. He urged opposition parties to unite and work together to protect democracy, warning, “If we don’t unite and take action, we may end up with no democracy at all. God forbid.”
Atiku’s speech is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy and the critical need for unity and vigilance in the face of what he believes are attempts to undermine it.
