Atiku Warns Nigeria’s Democracy Is at Risk and Calls for Coalition-Building
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture, stressing that coalition-building and mergers are essential for removing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power. Speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria in Abuja, Atiku emphasized the dangers of state capture, which makes democratic change increasingly difficult.
Atiku described the country’s democracy as being at risk of erosion, citing years of warnings about the need to protect and deepen democratic practices. He stated that the current situation is not the result of one person or administration but rather a collective failure to safeguard the nation’s democratic institutions. Atiku highlighted his own contributions to promoting democracy, noting his role in pushing for the military’s exit from power and his belief that democracy is the best path to national unity and development.
He defined democracy as a system where citizens can freely choose their leaders, with periodic elections that hold leaders accountable. He also stressed the importance of checks and balances among government branches and an independent judiciary to resolve disputes.
However, Atiku expressed concerns about the erosion of people’s freedom to choose their leaders, which has led to what he termed “state capture.” He warned that this situation has made it increasingly difficult to remove those in power through democratic means. Atiku called for urgent reforms to strengthen political parties, particularly opposition parties, which are crucial for sustaining democracy.
Atiku further criticized the current funding model for political parties, which he believes is undemocratic. He argued that the reliance on wealthy individuals and governors for party funding undermines the democratic process. Instead, he advocated for a more democratic funding model where party members invest in and co-own their parties. This, he said, would ensure that party leaders adhere to party rules and the nation’s laws.
The former Vice President also emphasized the need for consequences for non-compliance with party rules and electoral laws. He suggested that elected members who decamp should vacate their seats without debate and that electoral malpractice should be punished to maintain political integrity.
In addition to strengthening political parties, Atiku called for coalition-building among opposition parties. He pointed out that it is extremely difficult to unseat an unpopular ruling party without a united opposition. Coalition-building and mergers, he argued, are essential to build the capacity of the opposition to challenge the ruling party effectively.
Finally, Atiku raised concerns about the Nigerian judiciary, which he believes has become a significant threat to democracy. He criticized the judiciary for manipulating technicalities to deny voters their preferred choices, arguing that the judiciary should uphold the will of the people in electoral disputes.
