Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians not to be frustrated, but to continue being hopeful that they would one day be proud of their country.
In a New Year message issued on Tuesday, Atiku likened Nigeria’s poverty level to a sweeping hurricane. He condemned Nigerian leaders for doing less to nothing to alleviate the suffering of the people.
He further slammed the government of President Goodluck Jonathan for asking Nigerians to sacrifice in the face of fallen oil prices while those in government live extravagantly.
He charged the country’s leaders cut down on extravagant lifestyles.
Atiku noted that democracy is only seen as successful if the lives of people improve, rather than how many few people at the corridors of power that were enriched.
He reminded Nigerians that democracy offers them the opportunity to pick their leaders and that they must be ready to partake in the election of their leaders in February next year.
He said while poverty is accelerating like hurricane in the land, the country’s elected leaders are living in opulence.
He said elective offices should be seen as opportunities to serve selflessly instead of an opportunity to milk the country and its people.
He lamented that the country’s democracy had not reached the situation where the people would realise their powers and ask questions, adding that this was partly the reason for the level of poverty in the country.
He urged for tolerance among political leaders. He added that if truly politicians aim at serving the country, then they should not bicker just because of their different ideologies.
For him, Nigerians should use the New Year to lift their own hopes and encourage themselves and work towards change from the way the country currently is.
He appealed to the people to go get their Permanent Voters’ Cards to enable them vote for parties and candidates of their choice.
