Group to Atiku, El-rufai: You can’t deceive Nigerians again
A group, Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI), has reminded former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-rufai that they should not take Nigerians for granted as their antecedents while in office have not been forgotten.
A statement on Sunday by the group’s director of strategic communications Dr AbdulRazak Ahmed, said, “That Atiku and El-Rufai are all over the place attempting to deceive the people that they are saviors underscores a critical perspective on their political maneuvers. This movement has given rise to a growing skepticism among the electorate regarding the authenticity of their claims and intentions. As these figures seek to position themselves as solutions to pressing societal issues, it raises questions about their past actions and the credibility of their promises.”
DWI said that since 1999, political figures such as Atiku and El-Rufai have played pivotal roles in shaping Nigeria’s governance landscape, often contributing to the very crises they now seek to address.
According to DWI, their tenures were marked by controversial decisions, including fuel subsidy payments and their abrupt removal which exacerbated economic hardships for the populace.
“This is why their legacy raises critical questions about their current coalitions and genuine commitment to reform. Their current criticisms of APC which they helped to establish raise questions about their sincerity and the motivations behind their sudden shift in allegiance. It is essential for Nigerians to remember that these politicians were not merely bystanders in the political process; they were key players who benefited from the very systems they now denounce,” the group said.
DWI also noted with concern that while the nation grappled with the devastating impacts of insurgency and banditry, the two former public office holders remained conspicuously silent, folding their arms as communities were ravaged and lives were lost.
“This hypocrisy is not merely a political misstep; it is a betrayal of the trust bestowed upon them by the electorate. In a misguided effort to position themselves as champions of democracy, Atiku and his companions have condemned the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers state, labeling it unconstitutional. Yet, it is embarrassing for Atiku and El-Rufai, who once thrived under the very system they now criticise, to present themselves as saviors of Nigerian democracy,” It said.
“DWI therefore wishes to remind Nigerians that these individuals lack the moral authority to lead as according to the group, the track records of the former leader are marred by complicity in decisions that led to the current state of despair in Nigeria.”
