Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria is on the verge of losing its hard-fought democracy if it does not retrace its steps.
Atiku made this declaration on Monday at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development (Centre LSD), the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), and the National Peace Committee (NPC).
The former vice president cited instances where courts decide candidates or winners of elections, not the people.
“We are at a crossroads in this democratic experiment. We either decide we want to be democratic or we decide to abandon it,” he said.
Atiku noted that paramount before the nation is to see how the National Assembly, through various laws and legislations, can help ensure the objective of sustaining Nigeria’s democracy is achieved.
He recalled that he made some recommendations on the amendment of the Electoral Act in ‘good faith’ even though he knew they would not be considered.
He cited an example of how the Turkish electoral body refused to declare President Recep Erdogan the winner after he fell short by 0.5% of the votes, having polled 49.5%. The country’s constitution demands a minimum of 50% for anyone to be declared the winner.
Atiku said he wonders if Nigeria’s electoral umpire can do the same.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
Afrophobia: Should Nigeria ask South African companies to leave?
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Monday Lines 2 Afrophobia: Should Nigeria ask South African companies to leave? By Lasisi Olagunju (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 6 July, 2026). Jacob Zuma was President of South Africa when he declared on October 21, 2013 that South Africa should not “think like Africans in Africa, generally.” The remark,…
-
Why I did not take Brazil’s penalty against Norway – Vinicius
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Brazil’s hopes of ending their long wait for World Cup glory came to a painful end after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to eliminate the five-time champions. The aftermath of the defeat was dominated by questions over why Vinicius Júnior did not…
-
Blatter questions ‘political power’ after Trump’s FIFA phone call
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Monday he questioned the football governing body’s decision to suspend US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card ban. Sources told AFP US President Donald Trump had called FIFA’s current chief Gianni Infantino to ask FIFA to review Balogun’s automatic one-game suspension. The 25-year-old is now…
