Tinubu govt paying N50m monthly stepend to opposition leaders – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns about the future of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country risks losing its democratic governance if it continues on its “current trajectory.”

Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy held in Abuja on Monday, January 27, Atiku highlighted the challenges facing governance and political parties in Nigeria.

“We really are at a crossroads in this democratic experiment. We either decide we want to be democratic or we decide to abandon it,” Atiku said, emphasizing concerns about the ‘judiciary’s growing role’ in deciding political outcomes.

He criticized the transfer of challenges from political parties to governance, saying, “Governance dictates to the political parties, whereas political parties should have been directing governance.”

Atiku also alleged that the current administration had been inducing opposition leaders with financial incentives. “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 claimed, questioning the sincerity of opposition leaders in fighting for democracy.

He expressed doubts about the National Assembly adopting his recommendations for amending the Electoral Act, describing the assembly as a “rubber stamp for the government” but stressing the importance of individual commitment to democracy. Drawing comparisons with Turkey’s electoral system, Atiku questioned Nigeria’s electoral umpire’s credibility and ability to ensure fairness.

Atiku said;

“Now, governance dictates to the political parties, whereas political parties should have been directing governance on what should be done because that is their role. They interact with ordinary people, go on campaigns, and so on.

“With the current National Assembly, I don’t see them adopting most of the recommendations I made.”

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