Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential
aspirant has called on Nigerians to vote out “this anti-democratic” government
and restore Nigeria to the path of true democracy.
This, according to him, is the
surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for Nigerians.
Atiku, who spoke at the Yar ‘Adua
Centre, Abuja, said the country is passing through a difficult moment and that
how Nigerians react to this challenge in the following days will determine the
fate of the nation’s democracy.
He described the crisis as needless,
but which portends great peril to the system.
Atiku blamed the government for
unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of the constitution.
He said, “Meanwhile, I commend all
Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have expressed outrage over the unlawful
removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, an action,
which constitutes a flagrant breach of our constitution and a frontal assault
on our democracy.
“I want to note the universal
condemnation of this unlawful act by all Nigerians, as well as the
international community. I need to state that this latest action by
General Muhammadu Buhari falls squarely within the pattern of executive
lawlessness that has now been firmly turned into statecraft by the APC
government.
“The serial disregard of court
orders and consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of
our citizens confirms beyond all doubt that General Buhari and his government
would rather obey their own whims and operate by separate rules outside the
well-established constitutional order and the rule of law.
“It scarcely requires emphasis that
this behaviour is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a
military dictator.”
While admitting that the fight
against corruption is crucial to good governance, and progress the country,
stressing however that the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution
of the judiciary is even more crucial.
Continuing, Atiku said, “As the last
refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but
must also be seen to be manifestly above board.
“The issue at stake is not whether
the Chief Justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has
been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution.
“As a democrat, I must say, without
equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well-intended,
should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our
democratic institutions.
