Buhari APC turn executive lawlessness into statecraft – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at a state of the nation press conference at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Monday, decried that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government have turned executive lawlessness into statecraft in Nigeria.

Atiku had acknowledged that Nigeria is currently passing through a difficult moment in the build up to the 2019 general elections. He blamed the APC government and the Buhari administration for precipitating crisis in the country at this stage of the country’s democratic transition in the illegal unilateral suspension and replacement of Chief Justice of Nigeria (NJC), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The PDP presidential candidate commended Nigerians and international community that stood up firmly to oppose the executive lawlessness of Buhari in the suspension and replacement of the CJN.

Atiku had declared: “Yet again, our dear country is passing through a difficult moment. How we react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of our democracy, which has been brought to great peril by this needless crisis engineered by a government that is unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of our constitution.

“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.”

Atiku cautioned: “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. To create a condition that allows the constitution and the rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the way for tyranny. History is replete with odious dictators whose path to dictatorship started with statements of good intentions.” He advocated: “We must, therefore, remain vigilant in defense of our democracy.

“We are all witnesses to how this government has serially assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that represents the bastion of our democracy. However, with this attack on the judiciary, General Buhari has set a new precedent in our democracy that has no equivalence in our history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship. This cannot be allowed to stand.”

Atiku warned APC to desist from acts that will disrupt democracy in Nigeria, noting that President Buhari must know that he is a principal beneficiary of transparent, free and fair elections in the country administered by the PDP.  He maintained the executive lawlessness of President Buhari has reawaken the consciousness in all democrats in Nigeria, including himself, to rise and resist rebirth of tyranny in the polity.

“At this juncture, I must warn the APC government to desist from taking actions that may push us further down the slippery slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the electoral process. General Muhammadu Buhari must remember that he is a beneficiary of a free and fair election. It is, therefore, a matter of honour for him to allow a political environment and process that gives confidence to everyone.

“All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to rise in peaceful defense of democracy, for which so many have laid down their lives.  I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria,” Atiku declared.

The PDP candidate renewed his expression of gratitude to the international community for standing by Nigeria at this challenging time.

“However, the primary responsibility to resist tyranny and protect democracy in Nigeria ultimately lies with Nigerians. It is on this note that I call on all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the coming general elections to vote in defense of democracy and the rule of law.

“We must vote out this anti-democratic government and restore our country to the path of true democracy, which is the surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for our people.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  God bless you all,” Atiku stated.