Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have accused President Tinubu of betraying June 12 ideals and dismantling Nigeria’s democracy

Atiku Obi condemn Tinubu in scathing Democracy Day statements, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of betraying the spirit of June 12 and dismantling Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

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Both opposition leaders painted a bleak picture of the nation’s political direction, saying the country can no longer be called a functioning democracy under the current government.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the Tinubu administration as the worst period in Nigeria’s democratic journey, alleging a slide towards one-party dictatorship. According to him, the progress made since the return to civilian rule in 1999 is being systematically undone.

He claimed that Nigerians today are subjected not to governance but to domination, and warned that the country is edging dangerously close to authoritarianism.

Atiku recalled his personal sacrifices for Nigeria’s democracy, including stepping down for the late MKO Abiola in the 1993 election, which symbolised the birth of modern democratic aspirations in Nigeria.

He paid tribute to fallen pro-democracy figures such as Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Alfred Rewane, warning that their legacy is being trampled by the current regime’s actions.

Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Nigeria no longer meets the basic criteria of a democratic state.

He said none of the key elements of democracy—government of, by, and for the people—exist today. Obi accused the government of enabling electoral fraud, economic mismanagement, and the erosion of public institutions.

He listed stark economic indicators to illustrate the depth of national decline, including a drop in Nigeria’s GDP from \$364 billion in 2023 to \$188 billion, and a fall in per capita income from \$1,640 to \$835. He also noted a surge in poverty, with 129 million Nigerians now living below the poverty line, and 75 percent of rural residents classified as poor.

Obi criticised the Federal Government for focusing on controlling the narrative rather than solving problems, accusing it of gaslighting the public and shifting blame.

He lamented the condition of education, pointing to 18.3 million out-of-school children and poor infrastructure that forces students to take exams under candlelight.

Also read: Atiku reportedly offers Peter Obi VP slot in 2027 coalition bid

Both leaders called for a return to the values of June 12 and urged Nigerians to resist what they see as a deepening democratic crisis. They pledged to continue advocating for a government that respects the will and welfare of its people.