Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarms over the increasing difficulty of removing those in power through democratic means, attributing it to what he described as “state capture” in Nigeria....Read Full Article >>➤
Speaking as a thematic discussant at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, in Abuja on Monday, Atiku warned that Nigerian democracy is at risk of eroding completely.
Reflecting on the current state of governance, Atiku observed that the erosion of democratic principles has not been the result of any single administration but rather a gradual decline fueled by a lack of vigilance and corrective action over the years.
He noted that the deteriorating ability of citizens to freely choose their leaders has culminated in a system where those in power are increasingly insulated from democratic removal.
“The gravest consequence of this state capture,” Atiku remarked, “is the growing inability to remove those in power through democratic means. Our democracy is at a crossroads, and we must act now to protect and deepen it.”
Atiku emphasized that democracy thrives on people’s freedom to choose their leaders, periodic elections, adherence to checks and balances, and an independent judiciary to adjudicate disputes.
He lamented the growing nostalgia for the First Republic’s governance achievements, contrasting them with the current democratic decline.
He identified several factors undermining Nigeria’s democracy, including weak political parties, subservience of institutions to powerful individuals, and judicial interference that prioritizes technicalities over voters’ choices.
Atiku outlined five critical areas requiring urgent reform to safeguard democracy: Strengthening Political Parties, Normative Compliance, Consequences for Non-Compliance, Coalition-Building and Judicial Reform.
The former vice president called for a shift away from the current funding model dominated by wealthy individuals and governors, which he described as undemocratic.
Instead, he advocated for democratized party funding, including public financing proportional to parties’ legislative representation, to promote party ownership by members.
Atiku stressed the need for party members, especially leaders, to respect party rules and the law. He argued that democratizing funding would encourage adherence to party rules and reduce the dominance of individual “big men.”
He urged the enforcement of consequences for electoral malpractice and rule violations. “Elected members who decamp from their parties must vacate their seats, and electoral fraud must be punished rather than rewarded,” he said.
Atiku underscored the importance of opposition parties forming coalitions or merging to create a stronger force capable of challenging incumbent parties.
He cited historical and international examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of such alliances.
He strongly criticized the judiciary’s role in undermining democracy, accusing it of prioritizing technicalities over voters’ choices and promoting the destruction of political parties.
“The judiciary has become, arguably, the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy,” he said, calling for reforms to curb judicial recklessness.
Atiku warned that the current government might resist these reforms, but he emphasized that no one or party remains in power indefinitely.
He urged stakeholders to focus on building a sustainable democratic system for the future.
“Reforms should not be focused solely on today but on the future as well,” he said.
Atiku reiterated the importance of collective action to protect Nigeria’s democracy. “This work is not just for today but for the generations to come,” he concluded.
The conference, themed Party Politics and Political Integrity: The Role of Political Parties and Opposition in Democracy, was marked by robust discussions on Nigeria’s political system.
The keynote paper was delivered by Prof. Bayo Olukoshi, who also emphasized the need for strong institutions to uphold democratic values. ...Read Full Article >>➤
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