Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s government is paying opposition leaders N50 million each to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

Atiku made this known at a national conference on strengthening democracy, organized by various civic organizations in Abuja on Monday, January 27, 2025.

The former vice president warned that Nigeria’s democracy was at risk of collapse if urgent action wasn’t taken.

Atiku said, “I want to say it here publicly. I met with a political party leadership in the present opposition, and they told me flatly that this government gives them N50 million each.

“If we are not careful, we are talking to some of you here, but you are recipients of the N50 million from the APC government. Do we really want to fight for democracy?”

Atiku pointed out that Nigeria should emulate Turkey where the electoral body refused to declare a president-elect who fell short of the required vote threshold, as a benchmark of integrity.

He called for opposition parties to unite as he reflected on his decades-long struggle for democracy, noting personal sacrifices, including an attempt on his life, the seizure of his businesses, and exile.
“If we don’t unite and take action, we may end up with no democracy at all. God forbid,” Atiku said.