Onyekachi Eze 
Former Vice President Abubakar yesterday decried the situation in Nigeria and expressed fears the country is teetering “on the brink of a one-party dictatorship”.
In his message to mark the 64th Independence anniversary, the former Vice President said whereas Nigeria’s founding fathers were united under a common cause in championing independence through peaceful and political activism, the reverse appears to be the case today.
However, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s presidential election commended “the indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve of Nigerians who steadfastly believe in the potential of their homeland” despite the situation.
Atiku said: “Our nation has traversed numerous tumultuous phases, yet the tenacity of patriotic citizens, bolstered by the solidarity of our international allies, has fortified our resolve as a resilient entity.
“On this day, as we mark 64 years of nationhood, we take pride in the enduring establishment of democracy in Nigeria, highlighted by the longest period of democratic governance in our history.”
He added: “While democracy has anchored our institutions in the principles of the rule of law, we have yet to achieve satisfactory progress in fostering political inclusivity and ensuring elections that are genuinely free and fair.”
The politician implored the political elite to unite in a noble mission to safeguard our democracy from the precipice of authoritarianism.
He said: “Our founding fathers united under a common cause, championing our independence through peaceful, political activism. What we celebrate today is the fruition of their collective endeavours and those of subsequent generations.
“Regrettably, he noted that the current landscape reflects a troubling decline in electoral credibility, increasingly subject to the caprices of the ruling class.
“Our political milieu has become corrosive; opposition parties languish in weakness, while the ruling party appears to manipulate internal processes to render them ineffectual. “Nigeria teeters on the brink of a one-party dictatorship, and it is incumbent upon all politicians and statesmen of integrity to rise and reclaim our democracy from the encroaching shadows of oppression.”
