Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has once again voiced his concerns about the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its alleged attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through questionable practices.
Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, conveyed the concerns in a statement released on Monday in Abuja.
Highlighting the essence of democracy, Atiku emphasised that it goes beyond having a representative government and is fundamentally rooted in the diversity of ideas. For a democratic system to thrive, it must embrace opposition and differing perspectives.
Atiku expressed his worry over a concerning trend where the engagement of opposition parties is seemingly curtailed by the ruling party in Nigeria.
He cited instances of alleged electoral rigging and controversial court decisions favouring APC, suggesting that these actions compromise the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement pointed out that controversial court rulings have predominantly affected states controlled by opposition parties, including Nassarawa, Kano, Zamfara, and now Plateau State.
Atiku raised questions about the integrity of the judiciary and the potential compromise of democratic processes.
The former Vice President drew attention to a viral video in which an APC lawmaker hinted at compromising the judicial process for the party’s benefit.
Atiku asserted that the ongoing events in the Plateau governorship election petition validate the concerns raised in the video.
The statement also alluded to the influence of political figures like Bola Tinubu, noting that opposition became an anathema in Lagos State under his sway as a political godfather.
It claimed that opposition members faced intimidation, suspension, and arrest, creating an environment where joining the ruling party became a survival strategy.
Atiku questioned the withdrawal of a N135 billion lawsuit by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) against an opposition senator from Anambra State, less than 24 hours after the senator defected to APC.
The statement suggested that such actions represent crude methods employed to weaken opposition ranks and consolidate power.
The former Vice President expressed concern about the judiciary’s role, alleging questionable judgments and compromises.
He referenced Justice Dattijo Muhammad’s valedictory speech and remarks by legal luminaries like Olumide Akpata and Femi Falana, who have questioned the integrity of recent court decisions.
Source: Vanguard News