Atiku to youths: APC constricting democratic space — but we must keep fighting

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, has called on Nigerian youths not to give up on the country’s democracy.

Atiku made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the PDP Grassroots Supporters in the FCT, led by Akin Akinleye.

He said the group visited to express its readiness to align with the emerging opposition coalition.

The ex-presidential candidate also acknowledged the persistent flaws in Nigeria’s electoral process, saying elections are often manipulated and fail to reflect the will of the people.

“Today, I charged the youths, not to give up on Nigeria’s democracy notwithstanding the deliberate efforts of the ruling party to constrict the democratic space,” Atiku wrote on X.

“My counsel to the youths was in response to a group of PDP Grassroots Supporters, FCT, led by Amb. Akin Akinleye, which paid me a visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

“The group visited to indicate its willingness to join forces with the new coalition.

“I admonished them that although elections keep being stolen and do not reflect the choice of the people, citizens should continue to come out to cast their votes during elections.

“I reminded them that even though we had over 90 million registered voters, not up to 30 million came out to vote in the 2023 elections.

“It is imperative that they show up to vote because it is about their future.”

Earlier, Abubakar said the 2027 general election will not be business as usual.