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Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, seeks to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through what the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) calls the party’s “snatch, grab and run” policy. They accused him of doing so. .
Mr. Atiku, through his media advisor, Mazi Paul Ibe, expressed concern that the ruling party’s actions were detrimental to democratic principles that require acceptance of the opposition and diverse viewpoints.
In a statement, Mr. Atiku explained that the ideal concept of democracy does not exist only in representative government, but is inherently pluralistic in its thinking, and that a system is considered to be truly democratic. He said that in order to be successful, it is necessary to respond to opposition and opposing views. .
The former vice president cited examples of what he believes is narrowing the involvement of opposition parties by the ruling party, noting that opposition parties have been systematically marginalized through electoral processes and post-election court proceedings where the judiciary appears to favor the APC. He claimed that there was.
He highlighted controversial court declarations in opposition-controlled states such as Nasarawa, Kano, Zamfara and Plateau states, citing a tendency for courts to allegedly hand down what the ruling party missed on polling days. suggested.
According to Atiku, these events not only undermine confidence in the electoral and judicial systems, but are ominous signs of the compromise of Nigeria’s democracy.
“These are not only ominous signs that threaten our faith in our electoral and judicial systems, but also evidence that our democracy is being violated.
“It is also clear that the ruling party will not abandon this disgraceful ideology of “seize power, seize power, and flee”.
“What is currently going on in the Plateau governorship election petition echoes the threat repeated by an APC lawmaker in a viral video that the ruling party will usurp the judicial process to ensure its ultimate victory in the courts.” The fact that it is corroborated is even more worrying.”
“So it means that the times we are in are truly ominous, and we have a long road ahead of us in rescuing democracy from these greedy authorities.
“It also means that men and women of conscience should unite in this common patriotic purpose,” he said.
The statement also referred to the alleged suppression of opposition parties in Lagos State, where Bola Tinubu is considered a political heavyweight.
“But we are not surprised by what is happening. Opposition has become anathema in Lagos State, where Mr. Tinubu is in power as his godfather.
“Everyone, including judges, was forced to join his party. The few opposition members who managed to get elected were beaten to submission, including in the Lagos State House of Assembly. He was suspended and arrested for possession, but mysteriously the charges were dropped soon after he defected to the APC.
“Recently, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) withdrew a N135 billion lawsuit against an opposition senator in Anambra State less than 24 hours after he defected to the ruling party.
“These are crude methods adopted by Bola Tinubu to reduce the strength of the opposition and consolidate his grip on power.
“Is it any wonder that it was the same committee that sat and heard all election petition cases from Plateau State in the Court of Appeal?
“In an election where PDP came first and Labor came second, the court ordered APC to be declared the winner, whereas in an election where PDP came first and Labor came second, the court ordered a re-vote. Why? Does APC have a chance of winning?”
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Source: dailypost.ng