Democracy Day: Demonstrate responsible leadership, end killings – Atiku tasks Buhari

Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has again called on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to demonstrate responsible leadership and stop the violent killings of Nigerians across the country by various criminal gangs.

Atiku issued this statement on Monday on the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

The former vice president, who is an aspirant in the next presidential election, expressed disappointment at the performance of Buhari administration known for “dithering, making contradictory and ridiculous excuses and engaging in diversionary finger-pointing.”

“In the last three years of Buhari presidency, Nigerians have been killed in large numbers, not only in Borno State, but in other parts of the country that were relatively safer.

“The killings have even extended to sacred places of worship where clergies and worshipers were murdered in cold blood.

“This carnage has gone on for too long and must stop,” Atiku said.

He reminded Nigerians of the need to nurture democracy which was made possible through the labour of patriots, “some of who paid the supreme price”.

Nigeria’s democratic journey started in 1999 after the military has been sent back to the barrack. Since then, five presidential elections have been held in four -year cycle, but each has been characterised by rigging and political misconduct.

Atiku said the integrity of the next elections is sacrosanct, if the country must progress.

“Democracy is by itself a self-correcting concept, but only if there is guarantee of credibility in the electoral process,” he said.

He also challenged the government to take the issue of economy more serious, and invest massively in infrastructure, liberalize the economy and create fresh opportunities for the people.

None of the challenges facing Nigeria can be addressed without forging a mutual sense of belonging, he said.

 “These are some of the challenges that we must begin to re-evaluate their manifestation, and the significance of our celebration of democracy today should mean that we employ the broadmindedness and participatory notion of democracy in seeking solutions to them.”