*L-R Atiku, Tinubu
By Pathfinder Reporter
Wednesday June 12, 2024
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Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the nation’s economic woes.
In his democracy day message to Nigerians on Tuesday, the former vice president said the past nine years of the APC administration has brought hardship on the people.
“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.”
NNPP
In another development, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has lamented that it is sad that after 25 years of continuous civilian rule, Nigeria is yet to imbibe true spirit of democracy, thus appealing to political leaders to play the game according to the rule so that every individuals irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Ajadi, in a statement to mark the country’s Democracy Day on Wednesday, June 12, said since 25 years of present democratic rule in Nigeria, leaders were yet to play according to the rule.
June 12 presidential election is globally accepted to be most free and fair election in Nigeria won by late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
It is sad to symbolise true democracy for which the late Abiola laid down his life for civilian government Nigerians are currently enjoying.
Ajadi said no true democracy thrived in usurpation of all governmental powers by one arm, the executive, adding that democracy could only thrive with the independent of all the three arms of governments; judiciary, legislature and executive.
He said the judiciary and legislature’s functions had been subsumed by the executive, thus making Nigerians to be living in civilian dictatorship.
He, however, urged Nigerians to continue praying for the leaders, for them to lead the country aright, saying Nigeria was blessed with huge mineral resources which, if well harnessed, would make the country one of the leading powers in the world.
Ajadi, who was the NNPP governorship candidate in Ogun State during the last general elections, said in the statement that “it is sad that after 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, our leaders are yet to embrace true spirit of democracy. We have been having civilian rule that are not democratic.
“Starting from election which is the basis of democracy, we have not had a free and fair election in this country.
“Rather than people deciding who to govern them as it is obtained in true democracy, five or seven judges of the Supreme Court or Appeal Courts have been the ones deciding the winners of our elections.
“In a true democracy, there should be independent of three arms of government; but here in Nigeria, both the legislature and judiciary are under the control of the executive.
“Nigerians, instead of experiencing dividends of democracy from the so-called elected leaders, are experiencing hardship, with many of them dying of hungers on a daily basis.
“As we are celebrating Democracy Day today, I urge our leaders to have a change of heart and put the interest of Nigerians in their minds.
“I urged the government to use this occasion to formulate policies that would bring growth and development, price control and components of true democracy.
“I also appeal to Nigerians to continue praying for our leaders for them to toe the right path in bringing development to our nation. We don’t have any other country and when our leaders get it right, we will all enjoy the resources that the Almighty has blessed us with.”
Salihu Lukman
Meanwhile, a former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, Malam Salihu Lukman, has resigned from the ruling party.
His disengagement from the party was contained in a statement he issued in Abuja on Wednesday, June 12, titled: “APC and The Future of Nigerian Democracy: Letter to Selected APC Leaders.”
The former national vice chairman (North West) hinged his decision on the lack of internal democracy and inability of the leadership of the party to allow the much needed reforms within the party.
The former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) in the statement however failed to disclose his next destination but said he has gone back to trenches with other political leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said: “Given all this, it is possible to remain in APC if at all President Tinubu will allow internal reform in the party to return it to its founding vision, which as it is, is very remote. But my reality now in the party is that my membership has been rendered useless and there is no need for me to continue to impose myself.
“I have therefore gone back to the trenches and will try to work with all committed Nigerians who agree and subscribe to the goal of actively campaigning for the survival and development of democracy in Nigeria.
“We must grow our democracy to the point whereby elected representatives at all levels are accountable to the party and it is possible for Nigerians represented by various interests to develop strong relationship with political parties and elected governments based on which policies of governments can be made to reflect wider interests of Nigerians.
“I am confident that a strong democracy with functional political parties is possible in Nigeria. I am also confident that in our lifetime we can produce governments that are truly capable of making the lives of Nigerians better. I don’t expect party leaders will agree with my decision. I believe that eventually, we will be united will all party leaders and other Nigerians who are committed to developing Nigerian democracy.”
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