Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) within the 2023 normal elections, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to undermine Nigeria’s democracy by what he termed because the get together’s “snatch, seize and run” agenda.
In an announcement launched by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed concern that the actions of the ruling get together are detrimental to the democratic rules that require the lodging of opposition and various viewpoints. He defined that the perfect notion of democracy doesn’t simply reside in a consultant authorities however is actually rooted within the plurality of concepts, including that for a system to be seen as actually democratic, it should essentially accommodate opposition and opposing views.
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The previous Vice President cited situations of what he views as a narrowing engagement of opposition by the ruling get together, claiming that opposition events are being systematically marginalized by electoral processes and post-election courtroom proceedings the place the judiciary seems to be favouring the APC. He highlighted controversial courtroom declarations in opposition-controlled states like Nasarawa, Kano, Zamfara, and Plateau, suggesting a development the place the courts allegedly ship what the ruling get together missed on Election Day.
In line with Atiku, these occurrences are ominous indicators that not solely problem religion within the electoral and judicial programs but additionally point out a compromise of Nigeria’s democracy. He stated, “These are ominous indicators that threaten not simply our religion within the electoral and judicial system however proof that our democracy is compromised. It’s also crystal clear that the ruling get together won’t desist from this inglorious ideology of ‘snatch, seize and run away with energy.’”
Atiku additionally expressed concern concerning the Plateau governorship election petition, saying it’s a affirmation of the menace echoed by an APC lawmaker in a viral video that the ruling get together will compromise the judicial course of to make sure its final victory within the courts. He added that the instances we’re in are certainly ominous, and the journey forward in rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from these buccaneering energy grabbers is a protracted one.
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The assertion additionally made reference to the alleged stifling of opposition in Lagos State, the place Bola Tinubu is taken into account a political heavyweight. Atiku claimed that in Lagos State, the place Tinubu holds sway as godfather, opposition turned an anathema. He added that the few opposition members who managed to get elected had been crushed to submission, together with on the Lagos State Home of Meeting the place the only real PDP member again in 2018 was suspended and arrested for gun operating however mysteriously had the fees dropped instantly after he defected to the APC.
Lately, the Asset Administration Company of Nigeria (AMCON) withdrew a N135bn lawsuit it had instituted towards an opposition senator from Anambra State lower than 24 hours after he defected to the ruling get together. Atiku claimed that these are the crude strategies that Bola Tinubu has employed to cut back the ranks of the opposition and consolidate his maintain on energy.
Atiku known as on each man and lady of fine conscience to come back collectively for this frequent patriotic objective of rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from these energy grabbers. He stated that it’s time to put an finish to the APC’s ‘snatch, seize, and run’ agenda, which is a menace to Nigeria’s democracy.
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The PDP Presidential candidate’s assertion has generated reactions from Nigerians, with many expressing concern concerning the state of Nigeria’s democracy. Some have known as for an intensive investigation into the allegations made by Atiku, whereas others have urged the APC to desist from actions that might undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
In conclusion, Atiku’s assertion highlights the necessity for Nigeria’s democracy to be strengthened by accommodating opposition and various viewpoints. It additionally underscores the significance of the judiciary in upholding the rules of democracy by guaranteeing that electoral processes are free and honest, and that justice is served with out concern or favour.