Atiku Abubakar
Former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has joined millions of other Nigerians to celebrate the 2024 session of the June 12 Democracy Day.
A few years ago former President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as Democracy Day to commemorate the halted June 12 1993 presidential election, duly won by late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola but was denied by the administration of the former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
Speaking on the 2024 Democracy Day, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar recognized the efforts put in place by late MKO Abiola and his allies to return Nigeria to this Democratic system of government which had successfully lasted for 25 years, uninterruptedly. However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar blamed opposition parties in Nigeria for allowing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue ruling the country after introducing hardships on the country.
He said "The secondary purpose of declaring every June 12 as Democracy Day in our country is to commemorate the history of our long journey of becoming a stable democratic country. Truth be told, there's 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 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 civil society. All stakeholders must 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 have 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 realize that the fortunes of Nigeria lie in their forging a coalition, the better it will be for our country and the people.
Category: World-News
Tag: Blame Opposition Parties for Hardships APC Brought To Nigeria for the Past Nine Years
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Published 6/12/2024 9:37:27 AM