Atiku Abubakar emerged as the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate on Wednesday in Abuja. He argued that his selection proved democracy thrives within the party.
The former Vice-President spoke right after securing the ticket. He contrasted ADC's democratic practices with what he called the ruling party's stranglehold on democratic values.
"Democracy is being strangled by the ruling party," Atiku told party members. "But in our party, democracy is alive and well."
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead ADC into the coming elections. According to him, he felt genuinely honored by the nomination.
Within ADC, Atiku noted, members enjoy genuine freedom. They can voice opinions, pursue ambitions, and contest positions without fear or manipulation.
Atiku painted a grim picture of Nigeria's democratic health. He warned that the country faces democracy's greatest crisis since 1999.
Opposition parties are collapsing under pressure, he claimed. The APC government, INEC, and some judges engineer these crises deliberately.
Prominent opposition figures face relentless harassment and detention. Among them is Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna governor currently imprisoned for three months.
Court orders freed El-Rufai repeatedly, but he remains locked up. Justice officials have ignored these rulings consistently.
Atiku accused the government of weaponizing security and anti-corruption agencies. Anyone joining the APC suddenly escapes prosecution, he said.
"Charges magically disappear once you switch parties," Atiku noted. "This abuse of power cannot continue."
He thanked other candidates who competed against him in the primary. All of them, he said, share genuine patriotic concerns.
Every contender worries about Nigeria's economic collapse, Atiku believed. Insecurity, nepotism, and one-party domination trouble them equally.
Their participation strengthened the democratic process, he added. The healthy competition reflected ADC's commitment to true democratic values.
Yet Atiku cautioned against premature celebration or triumphalism. No one lost in this exercise, he insisted strongly.
"We are one party with shared goals," Atiku told supporters. "Divisions now would only weaken our collective mission."
Unity remained essential moving forward, the candidate emphasized. Party members must transcend individual disappointments immediately.
Atiku outlined the stakes clearly for assembled delegates. Citizens suffer under current governance, he argued passionately.
Economic disaster spreads across the nation daily. Catastrophic insecurity claims lives in virtually every region.
Extreme nepotism shapes every government decision, according to Atiku. Political intolerance stifles dissent and debate systematically.
The APC pushes toward one-party authoritarian rule, he warned. This trajectory threatens Nigeria's democratic foundations irreversibly.
ADC offers an alternative path forward, Atiku declared confidently. His party represents genuine reform and democratic restoration.
Party members must work tirelessly before election day arrives. Every effort counts toward removing the current administration.
Atiku pledged to lead this fight without compromise. Rescuing Nigeria from APC misrule became the paramount mission.
Citizens deserve better governance and improved living standards. ADC stands ready to deliver that transformation.
