Nigeria's Democracy in Bondage on June 12 Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and candidate for the PDP's presidential nomination in the 2023 elections, claimed that Nigerian democracy is still held captive and that its restoration will require the efforts of all citizens.
The goal of all democratic participants, according to Atiku, is to make Nigeria's democracy self-sustaining and free of anti-democratic forces. He made this statement in his speech to Nigerians on Democracy Day.
He continued by saying that the restoration to civil rule in Nigeria is being celebrated today and that this year's observance of Democracy Day was a "time for us to reflect as a people and a country on our journey to becoming a democratic society."
However, he went on to say that given the experience of Nigerians who lived through the dark era of military dictatorships, it was crucial to recognize the progress made in establishing democracy as the norm in Nigerian politics.
"But democracy without a corresponding commitment to the principles of fairness and fidelity to the rules of play by stakeholders in the processes of conducting elections still leaves the people prostrate to tendencies of dictatorship."
"Our democracy must constantly move away from the current practice where the ruling elite predetermines the results of elections if it is to be fully fledged."
"There are moments when I reflect on the activism that gave rise to the current democratic system and I am even more certain that there is still a lot of work to be done."

"Democratization and the practice of democracy are ongoing works in progress. While the restoration of civil rule in Nigeria is what we commemorate today, the goal of all democratic participants, he said, is to make our democracy self-sustaining and free from anti-democratic forces."
He continued by saying that just as achieving civil rule takes group effort and commitment, advancing democracy and our democratic process would also demand this.
According to Atiku, much would depend on what Nigerians do or don't do today on the challenges the nation faces and the future of its democracy.
"Our dedication to the cause of democracy must be unwavering if we are to succeed in this lofty goal. People on the opposite side, those opposed to democracy, are not taking it easy. We must take additional action to defeat them."
In addition to congratulating Nigerians on the restoration to civil government on this day, Atiku stated, "I also call our attention to the truth that democracy in Nigeria remains in captivity and it will need the energy of all of us to liberate it."