Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that a collapse of democracy in Nigeria could have serious ripple effects across the African continent.
He made the remarks on Thursday at a news briefing on the state of the nation, attended by leaders of a coalition of opposition political parties.
Atiku highlighted that insecurity, which Nigeria grappled with a decade ago, has since escalated almost out of control. “The threats we face today are far more complex, and unless we act decisively, the consequences will be felt well beyond our borders,” he said.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, stressed the urgency for opposition parties to unite and present a common front.
Also addressing insecurity, Obi said killings had worsened even in the past week, while poverty was increasing. He called on Nigerians to take their destiny into their own hands, warning that failure to act could further entrench instability.
Also speaking at the briefing, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, Chairman of the NNPP, criticised sections of the Electoral Act, saying they were designed to weaken opposition parties.
He noted that the powers granted to presiding officers could create room for corruption and inaccurate election results. Ahmed also called for amendments to ensure real-time transmission of polling unit results is not hindered by network issues, stressing that any reform short of this would be inadequate.
On his part, former Senate President David Mark condemned the rise of what he described as political thuggery and reassured Nigerians that the opposition remains committed to truth and free, fair elections.
The gathering also included notable figures such as former Osun State Governor and two-time commissioner Rauf Aregbesola, Ireti Kingibe, Zainab Haruna, and former Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke, reflecting the broad representation of political stakeholders within the opposition coalition.
The briefing served as a platform for the opposition to express collective concern over insecurity, economic hardship, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral framework, while urging Nigerians to remain engaged in shaping the country’s democratic future.
Report by Princess Alabi