In a stirring Democracy Day address that invoked both the triumph and trauma of Nigeria’s democratic history, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar issued a passionate call for a nationwide movement to “reclaim Nigeria for Nigerians,”.

He warned that the country is slipping dangerously toward authoritarianism under the current administration.

In a speech, delivered on the 32nd anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, long considered the freest and fairest in Nigerian history, Atiku spoke about his deep personal ties to the pro-democracy struggle.

He paid tribute to fallen heroes like Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Tafida Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Alfred Rewane, emphasising the weight of their sacrifice and the democratic values they embodied.

“Today, Nigeria teeters on the edge of a dangerous precipice,” Atiku declared. “A creeping one-party dictatorship is replacing the democratic order we bled for.”

He painted a grim picture of current governance, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying state power to entrench itself at the expense of the Nigerian people.

According to Atiku, the government is systematically silencing dissent, channeling national resources to cronies, and engaging in a brazen campaign to personalize state institutions.

“What we are witnessing is not governance; it is conquest,” he said. “The common Nigerian has been abandoned at the altar of elite comfort.”

Framing the moment as a “historic threshold,” Atiku positioned himself and the emerging opposition coalition not merely as political challengers, but as custodians of Nigeria’s democratic soul.

“This is not just a political contest; it is a moral crusade,” he said. “A struggle to liberate our economy, our democracy, and our dignity.”

Atiku, who has consistently been at the forefront of opposition politics since 2015, pledged to support efforts aimed at building a united front against what he termed “authoritarian forces.”

He insisted that reclaiming Nigeria was not about power, but about restoring the people’s ownership of their country and protecting the legacy of June 12.

“The time to rise is now,” he urged, ending his message with a solemn promise to stand with all Nigerians committed to a freer, fairer, and more just nation.

His remarks come amid rising political tensions, economic hardship, and growing public criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government, which has faced accusations of consolidating power and marginalising opposition voices.

Tinubu, however, insisted that his administration remains committed to the tenets of democracy which accommodates dissenting voices.