The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the youth of Nigeria to defend democracy by resisting all forms of anti-democratic tendencies.
Atiku gave the charge during a world press conference in Abuja where he warned that poorly conducted elections will always produce illegitimate leaders.
The former number two man called on youths to do something about Nigeria’s declining democratic values especially as the young people are most affected by bad policies, which are the result of illegitimate leadership.
Alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power through a flawed electoral process, the former Vice President stressed that the situation portends serious danger for the future and the nation’s stability.
He said: “Nigerians have seen the true face of the person who claims to be their President and how he got there, and the dangers that he brings to them and the country. Atiku added that the lack of trust and transparency in the electoral system has put democracy at risk, and the courts have failed to uphold the rights of the voters.
“The courts have endorsed and legitimized the electoral fraud and manipulation that brought Tinubu to power. And by doing so, they have encouraged candidates in Nigeria’s elections to do whatever it takes to be declared the winner, regardless of the law and the truth. That includes identity theft, impersonation, forgery, perjury, and violence.
“And, as they do so, they should ignore whatever the law says and whatever assurances from the leadership of the electoral umpire about what the law says and what they would do in compliance.
“And they would do so knowing that our courts would approve of their behaviour or at best pretend not to take any notice of it.
Also, if you are robbed of victory, do not bother going to court for redress because your glaring evidence of the robbery will be ignored in favour of the mandate bandit.
“Also, your lawyers, however distinguished and accomplished, may be ridiculed by the judges who may also go out of their way to make even a stronger case for the so-called “winner” than even their own lawyers were able to do.
These are clearly self-help strategies and actions bereft of the law and constitutionalism.
Only lawlessness and anarchy will result from such, with violence, destruction, and implosion and loss of our country likely to follow.”
Atiku alluded to the recent outcome of the Supreme Court on his election petition, noting that all was not well, because there is evidence to prove that INEC violated the Electoral Act by declaring Tinubu president.
He warned that when INEC and the judiciary are enmeshed in controversy, democracy cannot thrive.
