Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has leveled serious allegations against the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing the government of bribing opposition leaders with N50 million each to undermine Nigeria’s democratic processes. Atiku made this explosive revelation during a national conference held in Abuja on Monday, which was organized by various civic organizations aimed at strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
In his address, Atiku emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy was in peril and could face collapse unless urgent measures were taken to address the deteriorating political landscape. According to Atiku, the claims of bribery were based on discussions he had with leadership from opposition political parties, who allegedly told him that they had received substantial sums of money—specifically N50 million each—from the APC government. This allegation, if true, raises serious concerns about the integrity of the country’s political processes, including the potential influence of financial incentives on opposition leaders and their actions within the broader political environment.
Atiku, speaking with apparent frustration and urgency, said, “I want to say it here publicly. I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each.” He went on to express concern that, if the political environment continued in this manner, even individuals present at the conference could be recipients of such funds, insinuating that the practice of bribing opposition leaders might extend to broader political circles within the country. Atiku’s questioning of this behavior calls into question the sincerity and motivations of political leaders, suggesting that financial manipulation could be steering Nigerian politics away from democratic ideals.
Atiku further lamented the erosion of democratic values in Nigeria, underscoring the importance of upholding democratic integrity and transparency at all levels of governance. One of his primary criticisms was directed at the current National Assembly, which he described as a “rubber stamp” for the executive branch of government. His comments suggest that the legislative arm, which is meant to serve as a check on executive power, has failed in this role and is instead complicit in the government’s actions. This issue of a compliant National Assembly was raised in the context of broader concerns about Nigeria’s democratic health, where checks and balances are weakening, and the separation of powers is no longer functioning as intended.
Another key area of concern for Atiku was the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He raised doubts about INEC’s ability to oversee free and fair elections, suggesting that the credibility of the institution has been compromised. Atiku’s critique of INEC speaks to a broader skepticism about the transparency and fairness of Nigeria’s electoral processes, with many citizens and political figures questioning the independence of the electoral body in recent years.
In his speech, Atiku also used Turkey as a benchmark for integrity in the electoral process. He pointed to an example from Turkey, where the country’s electoral body refused to declare a president-elect due to the candidate’s failure to meet the required vote threshold. Atiku suggested that Nigeria should aspire to such high standards of electoral integrity, where electoral bodies are willing to stand firm on principles, regardless of political pressure or external influence. By invoking this example, Atiku hoped to draw attention to the need for reform in Nigeria’s electoral process and to inspire confidence among citizens in the fairness and integrity of elections.
In a call for unity, Atiku stressed that opposition parties in Nigeria must come together to defend democracy. He reflected on his own long-standing struggle for democracy in Nigeria, highlighting the personal sacrifices he has made over the years in his quest to ensure that Nigeria remains a democracy. Atiku recounted how he had once faced an attempt on his life, had his businesses seized, and had to live in exile—all in the pursuit of a democratic Nigeria. These personal sacrifices, according to Atiku, were made with the belief that Nigeria’s democracy was worth fighting for, and he implored others to continue the fight in order to preserve the hard-won gains of democracy.
He warned that if opposition forces do not unite and take decisive action, the country could face the tragic scenario of losing its democratic system entirely. “If we don’t unite and take action, we may end up with no democracy at all. God forbid,” Atiku cautioned. His words echoed a warning that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy is fragile, and that failure to safeguard it could result in a reversion to autocratic or undemocratic rule, which would have dire consequences for the country’s future.
Atiku’s remarks at the national conference highlighted several critical issues currently facing Nigeria’s political landscape. From allegations of bribery and manipulation of opposition leaders to concerns about the credibility of electoral institutions and the erosion of democratic checks and balances, Atiku’s speech painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s democratic future. His call for unity among opposition parties, alongside his passionate defense of democratic values, underscored the urgent need for reform and action to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy does not slip further into dysfunction and authoritarianism.
Atiku’s speech serves as a clarion call for Nigerians to remain vigilant in the fight to protect democracy and to demand accountability from their political leaders. With the challenges facing the country’s democratic institutions, the need for greater transparency, fairness, and integrity has never been more pressing. Atiku’s impassioned plea reflects his belief that only through unity and collective action can Nigeria’s democracy be safeguarded for future generations.
