Nigeria On The Brink Of One-Party Dictatorship — Atiku Abubakar

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 elections and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar says that Nigeria was dancing on the brink of dictatorship, as the country marked it's 64th independence anniversary.
He noted that the current precarious landscape reflected a troubling decline in electoral credibility, increasingly subject to the caprices of the ruling class, and thus requiring urgent need for action.
Atiku spoke in his message to Nigerians on the anniversary, in a statement on Monday.
He “extended heartfelt congratulations to Nigerians on the momentous occasion of the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary, urging a united endeavor to elevate the country to the greatness envisioned by its esteemed founders.”
According to Atiku,  the momentous  milestone was not merely a commemoration but a tribute to the indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve of Nigerians who steadfastly believe in the potential of their homeland.
His words, “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,” he proclaimed.
“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 further said that, “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.
“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.
“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."
He furthermore, appealed to political leaders across all party lines to forge a formidable coalition, that would provide Nigerians with a credible opposition capable of steering the nation towards a promising future, just as he urged the political elite to unite in the noble mission to safeguard our democracy from the precipice of authoritarianism.