Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has recalled what he described as the personal sacrifices he made during Nigeria’s struggle against military rule.
Atiku recalled resisting attempts to support military governance, a stance he said resulted in the confiscation of his businesses, an assassination attempt against him and his family, and eventual exile.
The former vice president, in his Democracy Day message issued on Thursday, June 11, 2026, said he and his family members were victims of an assassination attempt in Kaduna during the period, an attack he said also led to the deaths of several police officers attached to his security detail.
He stated that his experience underscores the sacrifices made by individuals who opposed military dictatorship and contributed to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Atiku said: “I speak not as a distant observer but as one who paid a personal price in the struggle to enthrone democratic governance in our country. I resisted every attempt to be co-opted into military rule.
“Alongside other patriots, I stood firmly against dictatorship and paid dearly for that conviction. My businesses were confiscated. An assassination attempt was launched against me and my family in Kaduna. Several police officers lost their lives in that attack, and I was forced into exile.”
Atiku also reflected on the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, stating that he stepped aside to enable the late Chief MKO Abiola emerge as the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate and eventual winner of the annulled poll.
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate stated: “In the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election—the foundation upon which this Democracy Day rests—I stepped aside for the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola to emerge as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party and the eventual winner of that epochal election.
“The democracy we enjoy today was not gifted to us by benevolent rulers. It was won through sacrifice, courage, resistance, and blood. Politicians, pro-democracy activists, patriotic military officers, labour leaders, civil society organisations, students, journalists, and ordinary Nigerians united to confront military tyranny.
“Many paid the ultimate price. Chief MKO Abiola and Kudirat Abiola laid down their lives. So did Pa Alfred Rewane, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, scores of journalists, students, activists, and countless unnamed heroes whose sacrifices paved the way for the democratic order we now risk taking for granted.”
Atiku, therefore, declared that the struggle to protect democracy remains ongoing and called on Nigerians to demonstrate the same courage shown by those who fought against military rule.
“The struggle continues. And just as we marched before, we must be prepared to march again,” he said.
