Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has generated alarms due to the growing difficulty of eliminating those in power through democratic means, attributing it to what he described as “state capture” in Nigeria.
Speaking as thematic arguing at the National Conference on the Strengthening of Democracy in Nigeria, in Abuja on Monday, Atiku warned that Nigerian democracy runs the 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 unique administration, but rather a gradual decrease fed by the lack of surveillance and corrective action over the years. He pointed out that the deteriorated capacity of citizens to freely choose their leaders has culminated in a system where those in power are increasingly isolated from democratic elimination.
“The most serious consequence of this state capture,” said Atiku, “is the growing inability to eliminate those in power through democratic means. Our democracy is at a crossroads, and we must now act to protect and deepen it ”
Atiku emphasized that democracy thrives in the freedom of people to choose their leaders, periodic elections, adhesion to controls and balances, and an independent judiciary to judge disputes.
He regretted the growing nostalgia for the governance achievements of the First Republic, contrasting them with the current democratic decline.
He identified several factors that undermined Nigeria's democracy, including weak political parties, the subservality of institutions to powerful individuals and judicial interference that prioritizes technicalities over voter's elections.
Atiku described five critical areas that require urgent reform to safeguard democracy: strengthen political parties, regulatory fulfillment, consequences for breach, construction of coalitions and judicial reform.
The former vice president requested a change of the current financing model dominated by individuals and rich governors, which he described as antidemocratic.
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Instead, he advocated the democratized financing of the party, including public financing proportional to the legislative representation of the parties, to promote the property of the party by the members.
Atiku emphasized the need for party members, especially leaders, respect the rules of the party and law. He argued that democratizing financing would encourage adherence to the rules of the party and reduce the domain of individual “great”.
He urged the application of the consequences for electoral negligence and the violations of the rules. “The chosen members who fade of their parties must leave their seats, and electoral fraud must be punished instead of rewarding,” he said.
Atiku stressed the importance of opposition parties that form coalitions or fuses to create a stronger force capable of challenging the starting parties.
He cited historical and international examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of such alliances.
He strongly criticized the role of the Judiciary in undermining democracy, accusing him of prioritizing technicisms about voter's elections and promoting the destruction of political parties.
“The Judicial Power has possibly become the greatest threat to Nigeria's democracy,” he said, asking that reforms to the judicial imprudence.
Atiku warned that the current government could resist these reforms, but emphasized that no one or the party remains in power indefinitely.
He urged interested parties to focus on building a sustainable democratic system for the future.
“The reforms should not focus only on today, but also on the future,” he said.
Atiku reiterated the importance of collective action to protect Nigeria's democracy. “This work is not only for today, but for the coming generations,” he concluded.
The conference, the policy of the thematic party and political integrity: the role of political parties and opposition in democracy, was marked by solid discussions about Nigeria's political system.
The main document was delivered by Prof. Bayo Olukoshi, who also emphasized the need for strong institutions to defend democratic values.