In a Democracy Day message issued on Thursday, Atiku said he refused attempts to be co-opted into military government and remained committed to the pro-democracy movement despite the risks involved.
According to him, his stance against dictatorship came at a heavy personal cost, including the seizure of his business interests, an assassination attempt in Kaduna and eventual exile from the 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,” he said.
The former vice president disclosed that several police officers attached to his security detail lost their lives during the attack on him and his family in Kaduna.
Atiku said his experience reflected the sacrifices made by many Nigerians who fought to restore democratic governance in the country.
Reflecting on the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, he recalled stepping aside during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries to allow the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO Abiola, emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
He described the June 12 election as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey and the foundation of the Democracy Day celebration.
According to Atiku, democracy in Nigeria was achieved through the sacrifices of politicians, activists, journalists, students, labour leaders, civil society groups and ordinary citizens who resisted military dictatorship.
He paid tribute to several figures who lost their lives in the struggle, including Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, among others.
“The democracy we enjoy today was not gifted to us by benevolent rulers. It was won through sacrifice, courage, resistance and blood,” he said.
Atiku urged Nigerians not to take democratic freedoms for granted, warning that the responsibility of protecting democracy remains ongoing.
He called on citizens to demonstrate the same courage and commitment shown by those who fought against military rule, stressing that the struggle to preserve democratic values continues.
“The struggle continues. And just as we marched before, we must be prepared to march again,” he stated.
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