Former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has asked Nigerians to “stand vigilant”, and closely observe “the actions and decisions of their political leaders” in 2025, perhaps to keep elected officials accountable.
Atiku threw the challenge in his New Year Message to Nigerians, released Tuesday.
He emphasize that “the dawn of 2025 presents an invaluable opportunity to reshape and redefine the national dialogue,” and urged them to “actively participate in safeguarding the principles of democracy.”
Below is the full text of the message:
My New Year 2025 Message To Nigerians
The former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, extends his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Nigeria for witnessing the arrival of the New Year, 2025.
In a press statement personally signed by him, Atiku declares that this New Year ushers in a momentous era of heightened public awareness, a time when every Nigerian must stand vigilant, closely observing the actions and decisions of their political leaders. He emphasizes that the dawn of 2025 presents an invaluable opportunity to reshape and redefine the national dialogue, urging citizens to actively participate in safeguarding the principles of democracy.
Atiku, with a deep sense of purpose, welcomes the nation into 2025, reminding all Nigerians that this New Year is not merely a passage of time but a new chapter brimming with possibilities. He calls for all citizens to remain resolute in ensuring that political leaders, at every level of government, are held accountable and that no one wields unchecked power that could lead to the erosion of liberties and further exploitation of public office.
Reflecting on the challenges of the previous year, Atiku observes that 2024 provided a sobering glimpse into the pressing need for governmental accountability. He expresses his profound gratitude to the Almighty for granting Nigerians the grace to witness another year despite the arduous trials faced in the past.
“The trials of the past year have only served to fortify our faith,” he says, “Our unshakable belief in divine protection has been our guiding light, and it is this same spirit of unwavering faith that will continue to propel us forward in the coming year.”
Atiku implores all Nigerians to nurture the shared hopes of collective prosperity, reminding them that the vigilance of the citizenry is paramount in holding the government accountable for its actions. “We must ensure that the power entrusted to those in leadership is never abused and that the claws of an overreaching government are firmly restrained,” he asserts.
Echoing the timeless wisdom that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” Atiku urges Nigerians to stand ever watchful in this New Year, guarding against any encroachment on the public good and the fundamental rights of the people.
It is his fervent prayer, he adds, that the New Year will bring a fresh dawn, sweeping away the many years of national hardships that have hindered the country’s growth. He particularly prays for a revitalization of the national economy so that Nigerians may breathe freely once more, liberated from the suffocating grip of economic hardship.
This year, Atiku emphasizes, is one in which Nigerians must unite in the pursuit of good governance, standing resolute against any efforts by the ruling elite to divide the nation along religious and ethnic lines.
As we celebrate the divine favor that allows us to witness the beginning of this New Year, let us not forget our fellow countrymen who were not so fortunate, those whose lives were claimed by the relentless storms of daily hardships that have long plagued Nigeria.
In closing, Atiku Abubakar once again wishes all Nigerians a prosperous New Year, filled with boundless blessings and success in all endeavours, with a promise of a safer, stronger, and more unified nation.
Atiku Abubakar
Waziri Adamawa
Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007)
Abuja, 31 December 2024.
