By Ayo Yusuf
As Nigerians prepare to celebrate their 63rd Independence anniversary amid rising costs, high crimes and the prospect of a total strike hanging over them, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged citizens to take measures that would pull the nation back from the brink.
The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election noted in his Independence message on Saturday that the anniversary was coming at a time when the country is at a crossroads in many aspects of national life and charged Nigerians to be prepared to pull the country back from uncertainty to a place of common safety.
He said 63 years ago when Nigeria gained her political independence, it was upon the promise of abundant prosperity and the principle of social justice.
Atiku declared, “As a nation, we have continued to struggle to manifest the dreams of our founding fathers in upholding the promises of shared prosperity and social justice.”
He however observed that the energy of the Nigerian youth is a formidable force and a vital part of the manpower and skills that power the global economy. “That success – the gallantry of our youth – is the primal element of what we celebrate today as a nation,” he said.
The former Vice President added, “Therefore, for me, the challenge before us all is in ensuring that the political leadership in the country that we call home should be worthy of our pride as a people and not of telling embarrassment.
“Our democracy has triumphed so far due to the fidelity of our conviction that a democracy, when properly nurtured, should bring out the best in us and of us.
“As Nigerians, we are all not unfamiliar with the hardships in the economy, security, and other vital aspects of our society.
“While I enjoin us all to submit our strengths in faith to the Almighty God, we must be prepared to do our best to pull the country back from this point of uncertainty to a place of common safety.”
