Abdulsalami Abubakar Reflects on Nigeria’s 26 Years of Unbroken Democracy
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has expressed pride in his administration’s role in Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democracy,Daily Trust reports.
Abubakar, who led the country’s transition from military to civilian rule, handed over power to an elected government on May 29, 1999, marking the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
Speaking at the public presentation of the book 100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria (1923–2023) by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja, he urged Nigerians to remain committed to sustaining democracy.
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Serving as Chairman of the occasion, which was themed “100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria – The Imperative of Nigeria’s Political Stability: Issues and Solutions,” Abubakar was represented by his Chief Security Officer (CSO), Gen. Abdulrashid Aliyu.
He highlighted that by 2025, Nigeria would mark 102 years since the formation of political parties, a significant milestone in the nation’s democratic journey.
“I commend the leadership of IPAC for its foresight in documenting this historic evolution of political parties in Nigeria,” he said.
Despite past military interventions, Abubakar emphasized that democracy has firmly taken root in Nigeria, stating that governance should always be by the people and for the people.
“This year marks 26 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, the longest period of constitutional governance since Independence in 1960,” he noted.
Reflecting on his administration’s role, he said, “My government laid the foundation for democratic governance. It proves that when leaders are patriotic and committed to building strong democratic institutions, democracy can thrive and deliver dividends to citizens.”
He urged Nigerians to continue nurturing democracy, stressing that there is no viable alternative to civil rule.
“Our democracy has been tested and challenged, yet it has endured. This resilience reflects the people’s commitment to representative governance,” he said.
Abubakar called for a renewed focus on political party development to strengthen democracy, ensure stable elections, and promote political stability.
He also encouraged political parties to revive key democratic principles that have been sidelined, such as party supremacy, adherence to manifestoes, and ideology-driven membership.
Earlier, IPAC National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, described the book launch as a significant milestone in documenting a century of political party activities in Nigeria.
