Former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that Nigeria is facing a deep national decline, claiming that key sectors of the country’s economy and governance have “collapsed” under the current administration.
Speaking on Tuesday at the African Democratic Congress national convention held at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, Atiku urged political leaders and party members to unite behind what he described as a sincere and urgent push for national recovery.
The former presidential candidate said the country’s condition had worsened across nearly all areas of national development, insisting that what Nigeria is currently experiencing requires more than routine political engagement.
He called for what he described as a genuine transformation capable of reversing the downward trend in governance and public services.
Recounting his political experiences, Atiku said he was once strongly encouraged by top political figures across party lines to join the All Progressives Congress during its formation.
According to him, many of those leaders visited him and pressured him to be part of the coalition, warning that the country’s political direction would suffer without such unity.
“I remember when the APC was being formed, the entire political leadership in this country from various parties stormed into my house and said, ‘ Look, if you don’t come into APC, this is not possible,” he said, adding that he was eventually persuaded to join, only to later witness what he described as national decline.
Atiku painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s current state, listing multiple sectors he believes have deteriorated significantly.
“Our economy, gone. Our sovereignty, gone. Our security, gone. Our education, gone. Our infrastructure, zero. Healthcare, gone,” he said, questioning the state of national progress and accountability.
He stressed that the upcoming electoral cycle should be treated as a critical turning point rather than a routine political contest. According to him, political actors must rise above personal or party interests and focus on rebuilding national institutions that serve citizens effectively.
The former vice-president added that members of his generation entered public service with a sense of responsibility to younger Nigerians, rather than personal enrichment.
He said their involvement in politics was driven by a desire to secure a better future for the next generation.
He further argued that while Nigeria had treated his generation fairly, the same could not be said for today’s youth, women, and future leaders, given the current economic and social realities.
“That is why we are today in ADC,” he added, linking his political realignment to his concerns about the country’s direction.
Atiku’s remarks come amid ongoing national debates about economic hardship, security challenges, and the performance of public institutions. His comments are expected to add further intensity to the political discourse ahead of the next general election cycle.
