by Godwin Orozo-
Former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Retd), has made it clear that soldiers cannot return to power in Nigeria, stressing that military rule is outdated and no longer suitable for the country.
Speaking at the launch of the book titled “100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria, 1923 – 2023”, authored by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja, Abubakar declared that Nigeria’s transition to democracy 25 years ago has been a significant milestone, one that is now firmly entrenched.
Represented by General Abdulrasheed Aliyu, Abubakar expressed his belief that the nation’s democracy has come to stay. He called on Nigerians and political parties to continue protecting and nurturing this democratic system.
Abubakar also reflected on his role in transitioning Nigeria from military to civilian rule, recalling the pivotal moment when he handed over power to the democratically elected Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. He expressed pride in having played a key role in pioneering the democratic process.
“There is no alternative to civil rule,” Abubakar stated, adding that democracy, when properly nurtured, can flourish and bring tangible benefits to the citizens. He reiterated that despite several military interventions in the past, democracy has now firmly taken root in Nigeria.
“The government of the people, by the people, and for the people—this is what democracy represents, as sovereignty resides with the people,” he emphasized. “This year marks 26 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, the longest period of constitutional governance since our independence on October 1, 1960,” he added.
Abubakar’s remarks underscore the continued commitment to democratic governance in Nigeria and affirm that the era of military rule is firmly in the past.
