June 12: Opposition parties’ failures major threat to democracy, says Atiku

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has said the failure of the opposition parties to uphold the functionality of their existence is the major threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Atiku said this as this on Wednesday, June 12, as Nigerians celebrate 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.

According to the former Vice President, the opposition parties carry more of the blame for lacking the will to form a coalition which is the only way to rescue the country from economic hardship.

“It is commendable that for 25 years, we have witnessed an uninterrupted season of electoral politics. It is an unprecedented epoch in our history,” Atiku wrote on X.

“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.

“But our democracy is not yet virile if it continually fails to deliver the promises of prosperity and liberty to the people.

“However, 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. Sadly, the ruling All Progressives Congress is to blame for bringing forth this dawn of gloom.

“But the opposition political parties are even more guilty than the ruling party for the seeming lack of capacity to come together and galvanize a coalition that will retire the ruling party and articulate a plan of good governance that will earn the conviction of Nigerians.

“Today, the failings of the opposition parties to uphold the functionality of their existence is the major threat to our democracy. The earlier they realise that the fortunes of Nigeria lies in their forging a coalition, the better it will be for our country and the people.”

He said the secondary purpose of declaring every June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria is to commemorate the history of its long journey of becoming a stable democratic country.

He noted that it will not be out of place to pay tributes to the sacrifices made by individuals like the MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, Tafida Shehu Yar’Adua and Alfred Rewane, among many others.